Exact Sciences Launches Groundbreaking Multi-Cancer Blood Test, Cancerguard

Exact Sciences has unveiled its highly anticipated Cancerguard blood test, designed to detect early stages of multiple cancer types. This innovative screening tool marks a significant advancement in cancer detection technology and has the potential to revolutionize early intervention strategies.

Comprehensive Cancer Detection Capabilities

Cancerguard is capable of identifying more than 50 different types of malignancies, excluding breast and prostate cancers. The test focuses on aggressive diseases and those responsible for over 80% of annual new cancer diagnoses in the United States, including pancreatic, ovarian, liver, lung, esophageal, and stomach cancers.

Exact Sciences estimates that approximately 70% of yearly cancer cases and deaths are linked to hidden tumors that currently lack recommended screening protocols. Cancerguard aims to address this gap by providing a broad-spectrum screening option for adults aged 50 to 84 who have not received a cancer diagnosis within the past three years.

Test Availability and Pricing

Priced at $689, Cancerguard will initially be available to physicians for prescription. In the coming month, Exact Sciences plans to expand access through its own telehealth portal, allowing for broader consumer availability.

The company has partnered with Quest Diagnostics to facilitate blood draws at 7,000 patient access locations across the country, as well as within oncology and primary care clinics. Additionally, mobile phlebotomy services will be available for at-home sample collection.

Performance and Clinical Significance

Cancerguard employs advanced liquid biopsy technology to detect tumor DNA fragments and organ-specific proteins in the bloodstream. In previous studies, the test demonstrated a false-positive rate of less than 3% and achieved an overall sensitivity of 64% across various cancer types, with a 68% sensitivity for the six aforementioned high-priority cancers.

Notably, Cancerguard identified more than a third of Stage 1 or 2 cancer cases. Exact Sciences projects that over a decade of use, the test could reduce late-stage (Stage 4) diagnoses by up to 42%, potentially improving treatment outcomes for many patients.

Kevin Conroy, CEO of Exact Sciences, emphasized the test's significance, stating, "Cancerguard builds on the legacy of Cologuard, which has delivered more than 20 million test results and transformed colorectal cancer screening. Backed by strong science and developed to screen for many of the deadliest cancers, the Cancerguard test represents the next bold step in our mission to detect cancer earlier."