A new UK trial has discovered a highly sensitive bone marrow test that could revolutionise the diagnosis and treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), potentially improving the lives of thousands diagnosed with this aggressive blood cancer.

Around two-thirds of AML patients experience a relapse months or even years after going into remission, due to undetected leukemia cells remaining in their body. This innovative approach can identify these cells up to three months earlier than current monitoring methods, potentially doubling survival rates for some patients.

Early detection not only allows for earlier commencement of treatment, which typically leads to a better prognosis, but also means patients are generally healthier and have normal red blood cell counts, enabling them to better tolerate the treatment.

The study, published in The Lancet Haematology, was led by King’s College London and funded by Blood Cancer UK, Cancer Research UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, and sponsored by Cardiff University.

The trial monitored 637 patients in remission from AML between 2012 and 2018, including Jane Leahy, whose AML relapse was detected at an extremely early stage thanks to the test.

It was disclosed that the 51 year old woman had reached a point where chemotherapy was no longer effective, prompting her medical team to explore alternative treatments as they aimed to bring her back into remission before a stem cell transplant.

She shared: “Acute Myeloid Leukaemia is a horrific disease. Being enrolled on this trial saved my life and enabled doctors to try alternative treatments. It’s amazing to see great progress being made in improving treatment options for patients. I hope that being part of this research is going to help save the lives of so many others who are in a similar position to me.”

Dr Richard Dillon, senior author and clinical senior lecturer at Cancer Genetics, King’s College London, commented: “Acute Myeloid Leukemia is the most aggressive form of blood cancer, so knowing early that a patient’s cancer is going to relapse is crucial for planning their treatment.

“We hope that these tests become part of routine care for this type of cancer across the UK and worldwide, and ultimately improve long-term survival rates for patients.”

The team undertaking the study is currently collaborating with the NHS to implement the test more broadly throughout the UK. They are optimistic that the procedure could also be adapted for use in diagnosing a variety of other cancers.

AML leads to the proliferation of abnormal white blood cells within the bone marrow, which then circulate throughout the body. In the UK each year, around 3,100 people are diagnosed with this condition, almost half of whom are over 75 years old.

However, AML can affect anyone at any age with around 100 children under the age of 19 also diagnosed each year. AML also has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers at just 22% after five years.