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Abbott's whole genome Oncodetect MRD test is now commercially available for solid tumors, tracking up to 5,000 cancer-specific variants — 25x more than its predecessor. The test detects circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in blood with a sensitivity 30-fold better than the first-generation assay. Early data show 100% detection of recurrence in esophageal cancer patients and significant gains in breast and colorectal cancers.
Abbott has launched the next-generation Oncodetect molecular residual disease (MRD) test, now powered by whole genome sequencing and commercially available for patients with solid tumors. The upgraded test tracks up to 5,000 patient-specific cancer variants — compared to just 200 in the original version — and can detect circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) at levels below 1 part per million, a 30-fold improvement in sensitivity. It's built on MAESTRO technology, which enriches tumor DNA from blood up to ~1,000-fold before sequencing.
The test works by analyzing a tumor biopsy to identify unique DNA markers, then scanning serial blood draws for those same markers to monitor cancer activity over time. It's particularly suited for early-stage and low-shedding cancers like prostate, lung, kidney, and hormone receptor–positive breast cancers.
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Why it matters: Catching cancer recurrence earlier — before it's clinically visible — could allow oncologists to intervene sooner, potentially improving outcomes. This upgrade meaningfully raises the bar for MRD testing across multiple solid tumor types.
