Written evidence submitted by Sensor100 (MSI0017)

Early Stage Cancer Diagnosis

One in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer, most often at the later stages 3 or 4 when the chance of a cure is less likely.  We need better diagnostic tools which can screen for cancers at Stage 1 or earlier.  Biosensors for cancer biomarkers have the potential to be low cost, non-invasive, precise diagnostic tools for cancer.

Most (over 75%) cancer research funding is targeted at therapeutics, and progress is being made, particularly in immunotherapy.  However good the treatment, it still requires early diagnosis to be most effective.

As in many scientific areas, the UK punches above its weight in biosensor research, but below its weight in commercialising this technology.  Development of low cost, rapid diagnostic tools for early stage cancer must be the greatest humanitarian challenge facing biosensor technology – and one that has the potential for the greatest commercial return, significantly larger than the market leading glucose sensors for diabetes.

What needs to be done?  Academic funding directed at cancer biomarker-biosensor research; building a consortium of research and industry to drive commercialisation (the Cancer Diagnostic Network is now being formed); engaging the investment community.  This is a huge opportunity, comparable to the human genome project.  It deserves support.

December 2016