Multicancer Early Detection Blood Test Performance in Cancer Survivors From the PATHFINDER Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biomarkers
• Cancer Survivorship

Background:

• Cancer survivors face elevated risks of recurrence and new primary cancers.
• Long-term surveillance strategies for survivors often lack comprehensive guidance.
• Early detection of secondary malignancies is crucial for improved patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of a blood-based multicancer early detection (MCED) test.
• To assess the utility of MCED testing in a cohort of cancer survivors.
• To address the unmet need for effective long-term cancer surveillance.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study (PATHFINDER) involving 1,609 adults without current cancer suspicion.
• Assessed the performance of a blood-based MCED test in participants.
• Included cancer survivors with diverse previous cancer types and diagnosis durations.

Main Results:

• A cancer signal was detected in 1.2% (20/1,609) of participants.
• Ten new cancer diagnoses were identified: 5 second primaries and 5 recurrences (breast cancer).
• Second primaries and recurrences were diagnosed years after the initial diagnosis; MCED test performance was consistent across groups.

Conclusions:

• Blood-based MCED tests demonstrate potential for long-term cancer survivor surveillance.
• MCED testing may help identify new cancers in survivors, addressing a significant clinical need.
• Further research can validate MCED tests for routine use in cancer survivorship care.