Myriad Genetics has expanded the availability of its Precise™ MRD Test for patients with breast, colorectal, and renal cancers. The personalized blood test uses whole-genome sequencing to track up to 1,000 tumor-specific genetic changes, helping detect minimal residual disease (MRD), even in cancers that release very little DNA into the bloodstream.
The expansion is supported by results from the MONITOR-Breast study, which followed 154 patients with early-stage breast cancer during treatment. The test detected circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in 93% of patients before treatment, including low levels often missed by older tests. It also predicted a complete response to therapy with 100% specificity.
Patients who remained ctDNA-positive after neoadjuvant therapy were 47 times more likely to remain positive after surgery. Repeated blood testing identified 44% more high-risk patients than a single test.
Researchers say the test is a promising tool for monitoring cancer and assessing relapse risk, but it should complement—not replace—standard care until larger clinical trials confirm it improves patient outcomes.