New NHS Partnership Expands Access to Epigenetic CNS Tumor Classifiers

Rapid and accurate classification of central nervous system tumors remains a challenge, particularly in children where histology alone can misclassify aggressiveness and drive overtreatment. Incorporating DNA methylation profiling with routine pathology has been shown to refine diagnoses and better align therapy intensity with underlying biology. Health systems also need solutions that scale across evolving laboratory pipelines. A new partnership now brings clinically validated epigenetic tumor classifiers into National Health Service (NHS) genomic laboratory services across England.

The collaboration between Heidelberg Epignostix and the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) establishes a national framework spanning each of the NHS GMS Genomic Laboratory testing service. The initial rollout centers on the Heidelberg Epignostix CNS Tumour Methylation Classifier, which distinguishes more than 180 central nervous system tumor subtypes and has been applied to over 180,000 patient samples worldwide. The partners plan additional classifiers over time, with integration into established and forthcoming workflows to maintain service continuity as pipelines evolve.

Image: The collaboration between Heidelberg Epignostix and the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) establishes a national framework spanning each of the NHS GMS Genomic Laboratory testing service. (Image Credit: Heidelberg Epignostix)

The classifiers deliver epigenetic tumor stratification by leveraging DNA methylation profiles, which can be combined with histology to resolve diagnostic uncertainty. In pediatric brain tumors, this approach has been shown to re-stratify a substantial proportion of new cases, including instances where histologically high‑grade lesions carry lower‑grade molecular signatures. Such molecular refinement can help avoid unnecessary dose‑intensive therapy while supporting improved outcomes. Heidelberg Epignostix will provide training and technical support to NHS laboratories.

Under the agreement, tests will be provided free of charge for all pediatric patients across England for a three‑year period, removing financial barriers and promoting equitable access. The partnership aligns with the UK government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan to drive health innovation and NHS reform.

“Our mission has always been to ensure that every patient can benefit from the power of epigenetics. Working with the NHS GMS means our technology can reach patients at unprecedented scale, and our commitment to providing it free of charge for children underlines our dedication to the most vulnerable,” said Dr Helge Lubenow, CEO of Heidelberg Epignostix.

“Methylation-based classification has transformed how we diagnose brain tumours, and nowhere is the benefit clearer than in children. Making this part of routine NHS practice- free of charge for every child, means more young patients receive a precise diagnosis and, with it, the most appropriate treatment from the outset,” said Prof. Dr. Stefan Pfister, Director of the Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) and Head of the Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ).