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New breast cancer test to predict spread of the disease
The test works by identifying the presence of two proteins in cells of the original cancer
A new breast cancer test, which may be able to accurately predict those at risk of their cancer spreading, is to be trialled in the UK.
The test, which will be trialled at the University of Bradford’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, could mean those at low risk could avoid undergoing follow-on treatment as well as potentially save the NHS millions of pounds a year.
In pilot studies, the test has proved 98 per cent accurate in predicting which patients are at low risk of their cancer spreading or returning, referred to as metastasis, after their initial treatment.
Now, a trial funded by Innovate UK is being conducted to test whether Ran Diagnostics works in practice.
Professor Chris Twelves, clinical director of the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, University of Bradford, who is leading the study, said: “When people are first diagnosed with breast cancer, their oncologist will want to discuss whether they may benefit from extra drug treatment to reduce the risk of the cancer returning and spreading.
“One of the ways we do that now is through a genetic test on the cancer, but that test is expensive and can be slow.
“If, as we hope, Ran Diagnostics is as good at identifying who may benefit from such extra treatment, it will be quicker and less expensive, helping us to better personalise cancer treatment for our patients.”
Dr Mohammad Isreb, associate professor in medicine development at the University of Bradford, said: “The Ran Diagnostics test has the potential to accurately predict the likelihood of someone newly diagnosed with breast cancer developing metastasis in the future more quickly and economically than current tests.
“It may help indicate who may benefit from extra treatment, and those at low risk, who may be able to be spared extra treatment and avoid its painful and unpleasant side effects.”
The test is designed for people with the most common type of breast cancer – hormone receptor positive, HER2, receptor negative. It works by identifying the presence of two proteins in cells of the original cancer, Ran GTPAse (Ran) and MMP-2.
In laboratory tests of 181 tumour samples from patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the 1990s and whose medical histories are known, the Ran Diagnostics test showed 98 per cent accuracy.
Dr Mohammad Isreb, associate professor in medicine development at the University of Bradford and Professor Sherif El-Khamisy, director of the Institute for Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Bradford
Dr Jason Jones, commercial manager, faculty of life sciences, University of Bradford, said: “We measured levels of the two biomarkers in those samples then we looked at their medical histories to see which ones later developed metastatic disease.
“There is a clear correlation between high levels of Ran and MMP-2 and patient outcomes. Tests showed 98 per cent of patients with low levels did not go on to develop secondary cancer and therefore may have been spared chemotherapy. We have not seen anything with such a strong relationship as this before.”
The trial will be conducted in collaboration with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Leeds.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer globally. Metastatic breast cancer – also known as secondary or stage four breast cancer – can be treated but not cured.
The NHS has committed to improving cancer care in its Long Term Plan and NICE recommends tumour profiling for some people with breast cancer to guide clinicians and patients decisions on the best treatment for patients.
Ran Diagnostics could be carried out within a hospital’s own pathology lab, with results potentially available within hours.
The team has been awarded an £897,000 Innovate Biomedical Catalyst grant to test a further 600 samples with known tumour profiling results to see if Ran Diagnostics gives equivalent results.
Ran Diagnostics will comprise of two elements: the physical testing kit used to stain the biomarkers along with AI-enabled software to analyse the data.
The grant also includes funding for Carmen Diagnostic Technologies Ltd, a spin-out company of the University of Bradford that owns the Intellectual Property (IP), to develop Ran Diagnostics into a commercial product. If the new test is successful, Carmen Diagnostic Technologies could have the product available to use in clinic within two to three years.
Professor Krzysztof Poterlowicz, director of research for computational and data-driven science at the University of Bradford and co-investigator in the project, commented: “This groundbreaking project provides a unique opportunity to leverage the latest advancements in AI and data science to develop software that optimises the results of the Ran Diagnostics test.”
Everard Mascarenhas, director of Carmen Diagnostics Technology, based in Southport, Merseyside, said: “Ran Diagnostics utilises equipment and pathology expertise that already exists in the hospital and can be adopted very quickly in hospitals around the world.
“Furthermore, as the cancer tumours can be tested by the hospital, unlike genetic tests where samples have to be transported internationally, Ran Diagnostics is closely aligned to helping the NHS achieve its net zero climate change objectives.”
He added: “A further limitation of existing genetic tests is that they only work for around 70 per cent of breast cancers.
“The science behind Ran Diagnostics means it can work for all breast cancer. In the future, there is the potential for a similar test to be used on other forms of breast cancer as well as other cancers.”
Professor Sherif El-Khamisy, director of the Institute for Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Bradford, said: “Our mission at the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics is developing smarter and personalised ways to diagnose, predict and treat cancer.
“Ran Diagnostics is an important step towards achieving our aspirations by providing a cost-effective, rapid and potentially point-of care test that informs more personalised cancer treatments that help reducing the risk of the cancer coming back or spreading to other parts of the body.”
Phthalates found in plastics and personal care products may be linked to higher blood pressure during pregnancy, a study suggests.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, are a leading cause of maternal mortality in the US.
Higher blood pressure during pregnancy has also been linked to adverse health outcomes for both mothers and children.
While family history and lifestyle are known risk factors, growing evidence suggests exposure to phthalates may also contribute to raised blood pressure during pregnancy.
Phthalates are chemicals found in plastics, personal care products and hundreds of other consumer goods. Some can interfere with the body’s natural hormones.
Kimberly Parra, of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said: “Our study suggests that having higher concentrations of personal care products-associated chemicals, known as phthalates, in the body might contribute to elevated blood pressure in pregnancy.
“While our study does not show that phthalates cause high blood pressure during pregnancy, it suggests that reducing exposure to this class of chemicals by limiting personal care products containing these ingredients, particularly those with fragrance, may be a way to address high blood pressure in pregnancy and improve pregnancy health.”
Researchers measured phthalate exposure and blood pressure in 338 pregnant women from the Environmental Reproductive and Glucose Outcomes Study at three points during pregnancy.
They analysed whether higher levels of the chemicals, individually and in combination, were linked to higher blood pressure or an increased risk of pregnancy-related high blood pressure disorders.
Women with higher urine concentrations of phthalates associated with fragrances and personal care products had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, markers of increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, while diastolic pressure measures it between beats.
Around 13 per cent of participants developed a pregnancy-related high blood pressure disorder.
Women with higher levels of certain phthalates, particularly those found in personal care products, tended to have higher blood pressure later in pregnancy.
Parra said: “More research is needed to better understand these findings, particularly whether the effects are driven by changes in oestrogen-related pathways. Additional studies should also examine the potential role of other phthalates and their replacement chemicals.”
Entrepreneur
Applications close August 18 for Women’s Health Innovation Summit 2026 Innovation Showcase
The Women’s Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) has reminded startups that applications for its 2026 Innovation Showcase close on Tuesday, August 18.
The Showcase gives early and growth-stage companies the opportunity to pitch live on stage to the most influential audience in women’s health, at a summit that convenes more than 1,000 senior decision-makers from across the ecosystem, including payers, providers, pharma, and investors.
Now in its eighth year, WHIS takes place October 13–15, 2026 at Encore Boston Harbor.
The event has built a reputation as the leading platform uniting the full women’s health ecosystem, from health systems and health plans to pharmaceutical leaders and the investors funding the next wave of innovation in the space.
A Direct Line to Funding, Partnerships and Adoption
Companies selected for the Innovation Showcase will present directly to an audience with the capital, clinical expertise and commercial relationships to move deals forward.
Past participants have gone on to secure investor introductions, commercial partnerships and clinical collaborations that started as presentations on the WHIS stage and turned into signed agreements.
Applications Reviewed by an Expert Selection Committee
Submissions are being reviewed by a selection committee of leading investors and industry operators, including:
- Parambir Bhangu, Executive Director, External Innovation & Emerging Science, Organon
- Elizabeth Bailey, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Foreground Capital
- Karla Loken, Founder, Loken and Associates
- Mané Mikayelyan, Associate Partner, DeciBio
- Anna Valcheva, Founder, Managing Director & CEO, Astra Ventures
- Azin Radsan van Alebeek, Co-founder & General Partner, Emmeline Ventures
WHIS is where the women’s health ecosystem comes together to get deals done,” said Poppy Howard-Wall, Event Director of WHIS.
How to Apply
Early and growth-stage companies across digital health, therapeutics, diagnostics, med device and consumer health are encouraged to apply before the August 18 deadline.
Full details and the application form are available at whisusa.com/attend/start-ups.
A third of women surveyed did not know perimenopause could affect mental health, with many experiencing symptoms for months before recognising them.
The survey of 1,000 women found many had been caught off guard by mental health symptoms linked to perimenopause or menopause.
It was conducted by Dynata on behalf of LifeStance Health in June 2026 and included women born between 1960 and 1990 who had, or suspected they had, perimenopause or menopause.
Respondents described anxiety as somewhat or extremely severe in 66 per cent of cases and depression in 54 per cent, with many initially attributing the symptoms to a separate condition rather than a hormonal transition.
Stephanie Eken, chief medical officer at LifeStance Health, said: “Women’s mental health needs change across their life stages, and perimenopause and menopause are among the biggest transitions of all.
“Specialised, life-stage-specific care should be standard practice, and I believe the organisations that build care around this reality, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, will define the next era of women’s health.”
Around 33 per cent of respondents said they did not know perimenopause could cause mental health symptoms.
Almost half, 49 per cent, were surprised that mental health symptoms linked to perimenopause or menopause could last for several years.
A further 22 per cent were surprised that perimenopause could begin shortly after childbirth.
The survey found 74 per cent experienced symptoms for six months or longer before suspecting perimenopause or menopause, while 27 per cent recognised the transition within six months.
Before recognising the symptoms as potentially linked to perimenopause or menopause, 49 per cent believed they were experiencing anxiety as a standalone condition and 39 per cent thought they had depression.
Around 36 per cent were surprised that symptoms linked to perimenopause or menopause could resemble a standalone mental health condition.
Among respondents who tried therapy for perimenopause or menopause-related symptoms, 83 per cent said it was helpful.
Around 82 per cent of those who tried medications such as antidepressants or oestrogen also found them helpful.
Nearly half, 47 per cent, said mental healthcare should be a standard part of perimenopause care, while 59 per cent said they would be more likely to seek mental healthcare if they knew it could meaningfully improve their symptoms.
Around 35 per cent said perimenopause or menopause had a slight to significant negative impact on their overall mental health, while 42 per cent reported a negative impact on mood.
However, 32 per cent reported no impact on their overall mental health and 22 per cent reported no impact on mood.
The survey points to women experiencing mental health symptoms for an extended period before connecting them to perimenopause or menopause, with many initially attributing anxiety or depression to an unrelated cause.
That delay may help explain why nearly half did not realise how long these symptoms can persist and why more than a third were surprised they could resemble a standalone mental health condition.
Despite the awareness gap, most respondents who sought treatment, whether therapy or medication, said it had been helpful.
Separate research published in 2023 estimated that menopause symptoms cost the US economy around US$1.8bn a year in lost work productivity.
The estimated cost rose to US$26.6bn when associated healthcare costs were included.
That research was based on more than 4,400 employed women aged 45 to 60, with its authors saying further studies in larger and more diverse populations were needed to confirm the findings.
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