Endeavor Health enrolls 1,000th patient in large-scale multi-cancer early detection study

Test screens for 50+ cancer types and subtypes, including those without recommended screening guidelines

Evanston, Il. – Endeavor Health has enrolled over 1,000 patients in a large-scale study that uses a simple blood draw to help identify over 50 types and subtypes of cancer earlier, even at early stages when treatment options can be most effective. With enrollment rapidly growing, patients say they’re eager to learn more about their own risk while contributing to the development of a new tool that can change lives.  

The multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test, part of the Exact Sciences’ Falcon Registry Real-World Evidence (RWE) study, uses a blood sample to analyze DNA methylation and protein biomarkers for cancer signals associated with numerous cancer types – including many cancers for which no routine, recommended screening currently exists. Today, routine cancer screening recommendations typically only focus on a single cancer type at a time.

Cancer remains the second-leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for an estimated 10 million deaths in 2021 – a number expected to rise in coming years due to the aging population and other factors. Cancer rates are also climbing among younger people, signaling a need for more screening options.

“A cancer diagnosis can be absolutely devastating, but we have a better chance of fighting it if we catch it early,” said Peter Hulick, M.D., a lead on the study and Endeavor Health’s Janardan D. Khandekar, M.D., chair of personalized medicine and the director of the Mark R. Neaman Center for Personalized Medicine. “Better screening options could significantly improve survival rates by enabling earlier detection, but we need more screening and early detection options, especially for cancers that don’t have a proven screening strategy that works. Implementing MCED testing and advancing preventative genomics are crucial steps in addressing the ‘last mile’ problem in health care.”

The Cancerguard® MCED test can detect signals from cancer types responsible for more than 80% of annual U.S. diagnoses, including some of the most lethal types, such as pancreatic, ovarian, liver, esophageal, lung, and stomach cancers.^1-3 “Today, nearly 70% of cancer cases and deaths are from cancers with no recommended screening,” said Dr. Tom Beer, Chief Medical Officer for Multi-Cancer Early Detection at Exact Sciences.^2,4 “But we’re entering a new era in cancer detection where we don’t have to wait for symptoms to act. The Falcon Registry is helping us understand how MCED testing can be delivered in the real world, across diverse communities, with the goal of reaching more patients earlier.”

Together, the study sites – Endeavor Health and another site in Texas – aim to enroll up to 25,000 participants over a five-year period. The study sites serve a diverse range of communities to help reach a broad group of Americans and provide insights on the potential benefits of early detection across varied populations.

The study will also create a registry that tracks patient data over time and will allow researchers to evaluate outcomes, understand the influence of MCED testing on patient care, and guide improvements in future strategies for cancer screening and treatment. Participants will undergo MCED testing annually for three years, followed by two additional years of ongoing data collection. The registry data will allow researchers to study the effectiveness and pathways to better use MCED tests in clinical care.

"Our primary goal is to empower patients with the knowledge and tools they need to proactively manage their health," said Dr. Mark Dunnenberger, co-lead on the study and assistant vice president for personalized medicine at Endeavor Health. "This study will help us determine how MCED testing can best be integrated into routine care to improve early detection rates and ultimately lead to better outcomes for our patients. We believe this registry will provide invaluable insights that could help shape the future of cancer diagnosis and management.”

The Cancerguard test is a Laboratory Developed Test and has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.* Learn more about clinical trials at Endeavor Health by visiting endeavorhealth.org.