We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Blood Test Proves Highly Accurate in Detecting Multiple Cancers in Early Stage

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 13 Apr 2022
Print article
Image: New data shows blood test highly accurate in detecting multiple cancers (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)
Image: New data shows blood test highly accurate in detecting multiple cancers (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

New data has demonstrated the ability of an investigational next-generation multi-cancer assay to accurately detect early-stage cancers.

Guardant Health, Inc.’s (Redwood City, CA, USA) Guardant SHIELD multi-cancer assay is designed to analyze approximately 20,000 epigenomic biomarkers that are informative for detection of a wide range of solid tumors in a single blood test. The data for four cancer types were demonstrated as examples: colorectal, lung, pancreatic and bladder. In addition, the blood test identified the tumor tissue of origin with high accuracy. The investigational next-generation Guardant SHIELD multi-cancer test aims to detect early-stage cancer where there is a clinical benefit from early detection and treatment. In January 2022, Guardant initiated the SHIELD Lung study, a prospective, observational, multi-center basket study designed to enroll individuals undergoing cancer screening across multiple cancer types.

The new data showed that the Guardant SHIELD multi-cancer screening assay achieved sensitivity (detection rates) of 90% in stages I and II colorectal cancer (CRC) and 87% in stages I and II lung cancer. For more advanced cancer (stages III and IV), sensitivity was 93% for CRC and 93% for lung cancer. Detection was assessed at 90% specificity (true negative rates) based on a cohort of patients without cancer. This performance was on par with the current guideline-recommended screening methods. Current screening options for these cancers, while effective, are limited due to low compliance rates: 66% for CRC and 14% for lung cancer. A high-performance blood test that can be completed as part of a routine patient workup has the potential to improve screening rates and, ultimately, save more lives.

In addition, the multi-cancer screening assay achieved sensitivity of 73% in stages I and II pancreatic cancer and 52% in stages I and II bladder cancer. For more advanced cancer (stages III and IV), sensitivity was 84% in pancreatic cancer and 85% in bladder cancer. Since there is no screening paradigm or diagnostic pathway for these cancers, a specificity threshold of 95% was targeted to reduce false positive rates while ensuring sensitivity is clinically impactful. Highly accurate tumor tissue of origin prediction is needed when more than one cancer type is evaluated as part of a single assay to help direct patients to the most effective follow up for a positive test. The tumor tissue of origin prediction was evaluated at 98% specificity and correctly identified the tumor tissue of origin in 99% of colorectal, 94% of lung, 88% of bladder, and 86% of pancreatic cancers.

“These positive results show that the next-generation Guardant SHIELD multi-cancer assay provides sensitive detection of early-stage cancers with the ability to identify the tumor tissue of origin with high accuracy,” said AmirAli Talasaz, Guardant Health co-CEO. “Presentation of these positive results represents a major step forward in our commitment to offering clinicians and patients a highly sensitive blood-based multi-cancer screening test in select tumor types where we believe cancer screening can save lives.”

Related Links:
Guardant Health, Inc. 

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The 3D printed miniature ionizer is a key component of a mass spectrometer (Photo courtesy of MIT)

3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models

Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The fastGEN BCR::ABL1 Cancer kit offers a way to personalize treatment strategies for leukemia (Photo courtesy of BioVendor MDx)

First of Its Kind NGS Assay for Precise Detection of BCR::ABL1 Fusion Gene to Enable Personalized Leukemia Treatment

The BCR::ABL1 fusion gene plays a key role in the pathogenesis of several blood cancers, particularly chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This gene results from a chromosomal translocation that causes constitutive... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Exosomes can be a promising biomarker for cellular rejection after organ transplant (Photo courtesy of Nicolas Primola/Shutterstock)

Diagnostic Blood Test for Cellular Rejection after Organ Transplant Could Replace Surgical Biopsies

Transplanted organs constantly face the risk of being rejected by the recipient's immune system which differentiates self from non-self using T cells and B cells. T cells are commonly associated with acute... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The ASTar System has received US FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Q-linea AB)

Automated Sepsis Test System Enables Rapid Diagnosis for Patients with Severe Bloodstream Infections

Sepsis affects up to 50 million people globally each year, with bacteraemia, formerly known as blood poisoning, being a major cause. In the United States alone, approximately two million individuals are... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The new method is quick and easy, and can also be used by non-medical personnel. (Photo courtesy of Zoratto et al. Advanced Science 2024, edited)

New Blood Test Device Modeled on Leeches to Help Diagnose Malaria

Many individuals have a fear of needles, making the experience of having blood drawn from their arm particularly distressing. An alternative method involves taking blood from the fingertip or earlobe,... Read more