Overview

• Since April 2025 over 1,600 patients with suspected lung cancer and roughly 600 with advanced breast cancer have undergone the liquid biopsy test at NHS hospitals in England.
• A pilot involving 10,000 non-small cell lung cancer patients found the blood test delivered ctDNA results up to 16 days faster than conventional tissue biopsies.
• An independent health economic assessment estimates the approach could save NHS England up to £11 million annually in lung cancer care.
• By analysing circulating tumour DNA, the liquid biopsy enables clinicians to match patients to personalised targeted treatments and reduce reliance on invasive tissue sampling.
• NHS England is now evaluating the test’s application in other cancers such as pancreatic and gallbladder to extend its personalised diagnostic strategy.