New Variant Tracking Option Expands Molecular Residual Disease Monitoring

Molecular residual disease (MRD) testing can detect traces of cancer that persist after treatment or emerge during recurrence. Because circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) may be present at very low levels, residual or recurrent disease can be difficult to assess with conventional measures alone. A newly launched test option now adds supplemental tracking of clinically relevant resistance and targetable variants during MRD monitoring.

Personalis, Inc. (Fremont, CA, USA) has launched optional Real-Time Variant Tracker supplemental results within the NeXT Personal molecular residual disease test report. The feature tracks clinically relevant resistance and therapeutically targetable variants over time during NeXT Personal testing. It includes variants with established clinical significance, including associations with FDA-approved therapies and recommendations in National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. The supplemental results became commercially available beginning October 20, 2026.

Real-Time Variant Tracker adds longitudinal variant monitoring as cancer biology evolves. Personalis describes its highly sensitive assays as combining tumor-and-normal profiling with proprietary algorithms to provide genomic insights over time. Its products are designed to support early detection of MRD and recurrence, guide targeted therapy selection through comprehensive genomic profiling, and inform biomarker strategies for drug development.

The feature was first introduced through an Early Access Program in January 2026, allowing select clinical and academic users to incorporate the supplemental results into real-world clinical practice. The commercial launch now makes Real-Time Variant Tracker available as an optional supplemental component of the NeXT Personal test report.

“The ultrasensitivity of NeXT Personal allows us to detect very low levels of ctDNA, which can be particularly important when we’re monitoring patients whose disease may be difficult to assess through conventional measures alone. I see opportunities for highly sensitive ctDNA testing in settings including historically challenging tumor types such as earlier-stage breast and lung cancers. And as we follow patients over time, we’re not only asking whether disease is present, but also how the biology of the cancer may be changing. Real-Time Variant Tracker follows those changes over the course of NeXT Personal testing,” said Dr. Leo Shunyakov, M.D., medical oncologist and hematologist at Central Care Cancer Center.

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