The Transformative Potential of Multicancer Early Detection Testing

Transcript:

Tom Beer, MD, FACP: Now I’m going to turn back to Dr Ebbert to add some additional commentary. Dr Ebbert, could you please discuss the emerging landscape of multicancer early detection testing, starting with an explanation of what these MCED [Multicancer Early Detection] tests are?

Jon O. Ebbert, MD: Sure. Thanks for the question, Tom. I’ve been a general internist for 27 years, and nothing is really more exciting to me than this topic. Multicancer early detection is literally going to be a paradigm shift in cancer screening. I think it can help close the gaps that exist, [those] we mentioned before. You and I both just talked about some of the limitations in standard care screening alone. MCED tests are blood-based tests coming from a single routine blood draw. Many of my patients get them; they are very used to that screening or type of screening or testing procedure in a clinical setting. It analyzes molecular signals associated with multiple cancer types. It is possible to detect the presence of cancers before signs and symptoms appear, so earlier stage. As we talk about, better, easier treatment, fewer [adverse] effects, greater and improved outcomes. And it detects cancers with no recommended screening options. Those represent the biggest impact on public health.

Tom Beer, MD, FACP: Thank you for that comment…. How have advances in molecular cancer diagnostics and an improved understanding of tumor biology helped lay the foundation for MCED tests?

Jon O. Ebbert, MD: This is a really exciting time as we learn more about carcinogenesis and tumor biology. We’re also having advanced techniques in the laboratory setting that all impinge upon the opportunity to deliver multicancer early detection to clinical practices here and around the world. And really, when we look at this methodology, it’s looking at cell-free DNA released into the bloodstream when cells die. And as you know, cancer cells have rapid turnover; they die, they regenerate, and they replicate. And this cell-free DNA is detectable. The tumor is present in a contained circulating tumor, DNA proteins, and other biomarkers. CTA DNA has been explored as a prognostic marker and for cancer detection, along with other tumor-derived materials or associated factors in the circulation. It’s really our understanding of this and these technological advances that have made remarkable progress in the past decade in laboratory medicine that allows us to detect the markers released by these tumors. And it will become an essential, if not truly transformative, and valuable tool to screen for multiple cancers.

Tom Beer, MD, FACP: How might MCED testing complement and bridge the gaps in current standard of care screening and diagnostic testing?

Jon O. Ebbert, MD: It’s important for everybody to remember that we are not looking to replace standard-of-care screening at the present time with these approaches. They’re really designed to complement established routine screening to expand the range of cancers detected by this type of screening. The goal is to detect cancers with high sensitivity and early stages where they’re more intravenous, all with a greater chance of curative intervention. It’s been designed to achieve high specificity to limit false positive results, which our other members of this panel will talk about in greater detail. But it may help expand access to screening for a broader range of people because [the tests] are blood-based, facilitated by a single blood draw, which many of our patients are very comfortable with.

Transcript is AI generated and edited for readability.