Blood-based tests for multicancer early detection (PATHFINDER): a prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Multicancer early detection (MCED) blood tests can detect a cancer signal from circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA). PATHFINDER was a prospective cohort study investigating the feasibility of MCED testing for cancer screening.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study done in oncology and primary care outpatient clinics at seven US health networks, a convenience sample of adults aged 50 years or older without signs or symptoms of cancer consented to MCED testing. We collected blood, analysed cfDNA, and returned results to participants' doctors. If a methylation signature indicative of cancer was detected, predicted cancer signal origin(s) informed diagnostic assessment. The primary outcome was time to, and extent of, diagnostic testing required to confirm the presence

SUBMITTER: Schrag D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11027492 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature