Appendix tumours (ATs) are rare cancers that are notoriously difficult to detect and treat. By the time they are diagnosed, the disease has often spread to the lining of the abdomen, making treatment far more complex.
Current treatment involves major surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by heated chemotherapy delivered directly into the abdomen. This intensive procedure requires a highly skilled surgical team and places significant physical, emotional, and financial strain on patients and the NHS. There are only two centres that perform this surgery in the country – one of these is The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester.
Currently, there are no targeted treatments available for ATs. This is largely because the biology of these rare cancers has not been fully understood. At The Christie hospital, researchers are working to change that.
By collecting tumour and blood samples from over 250 patients, the team has discovered important genetic changes that could pave the way for new treatment options. These findings may help determine whether therapies used in other cancers could also be effective for appendix cancer.
Funded by The Christie Charity and in partnership with the Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre* at the University of Manchester, The Christie is developing a new blood test to detect and monitor ATs before they appear on a scan. This test identifies tiny fragments of tumour DNA circulating in the bloodstream. Because these fragments carry the same genetic changes as the original tumour, they offer a non-invasive way to track the disease in real time.
Researchers have found that these fragments are released at low levels in ATs. To improve accuracy, the team is creating the first detailed reference DNA map of AT and surrounding tumour-supporting cells. Blood samples from 70 patients will be compared to this map to identify patterns unique to AT
The ultimate goal is a simple, accurate blood test that supports earlier diagnosis, better monitoring, and improved care for patients with AT.
Katie Blackwood, aged 34 from Plymouth is an Intensive Care Rehabilitation Nurse and was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), a rare appendix cancer.
She says: "As a PMP survivor, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of this rare and complex disease. A diagnostic blood test would help people like me to access specialist treatment more quickly.
This groundbreaking research inspires invaluable hope - hope for improved outcomes, broader care options, and more reassuring surveillance. It creates opportunity for us to live longer, more meaningful lives. It’s fantastic that The Christie Charity is funding such an exciting and potentially life-changing project, which could fundamentally change the way PMP patients are treated in the future."
Dr Raghavendar Nagaraju, Honorary Research Fellow at The Christie, says: "Appendix tumours are among the most challenging cancers to treat. Funding from The Christie Charity is allowing us to carry out research helping us understand the biology of these rare tumours and develop innovative solutions, including a blood test that could transform how we diagnose and monitor this disease. I can’t stress just how important this would be for patients. This work has the potential to make a real difference for patients who currently have very limited options."
Research such as this is central to The Christie Charity's commitment to supporting The Christie hospital’s vision of ‘learning from every patient’ and trebling the number of patients participating in research by 2030. Studies have shown that cancer patients treated at research-intensive hospitals have better outcomes than those treated in hospitals with little or no research activity. The Charity has pledged to support and fund this goal with £30m over the next 5 years to accelerate research and innovation in Manchester, with the ultimate aim of bringing tomorrow’s treatments to patients faster.
To support the work of The Christie Charity, please go to Donate today or ring 0161 446 3988.
The Christie Charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. This includes money for care and treatment, research, education, and extra patient services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to cancer patients and their families.
*The mission of the Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre is to discover, develop, validate and qualify biomarkers (indicators of what is happening in a cell or organism) in clinical studies and trials that detect cancer earlier, predict risk of relapse after treatment, and anticipate and monitor therapy responses to inform and support optimised treatment of patients with cancer.