Triaging suspected cancer with a multi-cancer early detection blood test

Abstract

Notable progress has been made in the field of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) analysis over the past decade. Along the spectrum of promising clinical applications of ctDNA across the various stages of cancer, blood-based genotyping in advanced cancer to guide targeted therapies, and more recently, molecular residual disease detection to improve patient selection for adjuvant therapy in stage II colon cancer, are the only indications with sufficient evidence to be integrated into routine clinical care. 1 Pascual J Attard G Bidard FC et al. ESMO recommendations on the use of circulating tumour DNA assays for patients with cancer: a report from the ESMO Precision Medicine Working Group. Ann Oncol. 2022; 33: 750-768 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar , 2 Tie J Cohen JD Lahouel K et al. Circulating tumor DNA analysis guiding adjuvant therapy in stage II colon cancer. N Engl J Med. 2022; 386: 2261-2272 Crossref PubMed Scopus (137) Google Scholar Among the many other potential applications of ctDNA, a multi-cancer ctDNA test for early detection of multiple cancer types in otherwise healthy individuals, represents the most substantial opportunity to improve cancer survival. Multi-cancer early detection test in symptomatic patients referred for cancer investigation in England and Wales (SYMPLIFY): a large-scale, observational cohort studyThis first large-scale prospective evaluation of an MCED diagnostic test in a symptomatic population demonstrates the feasibility of using an MCED test to assist clinicians with decisions regarding urgency and route of referral from primary care. Our data provide the basis for a prospective, interventional study in patients presenting to primary care with non-specific signs and symptoms. Full-Text PDF Open Access