Sutter Health Leads Breakthrough Research in Cancer Detection Using Blood Tests
PALO ALTO, CA – A new wave of cancer detection research led by Sutter Health is demonstrating the potential of blood tests to identify multiple cancers in their early stages - even before symptoms appear – offering a potential alternative to conventional imaging-based screening methods. Findings presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress showcase promising results from PATHFINDER 2, building on earlier success with the MCED (Multi-Cancer Early Detection) approach.
The research focuses on analyzing blood samples for cancer signals, aiming to detect a range of cancers, including those for which routine screenings don’t exist. Early detection is critical; as Dr. McDonnell noted regarding a patient named Lou, “Because Lou’s head and neck cancer was diagnosed early, he was able to receive chemotherapy and radiation that stopped the disease from spreading to other organs,” and remains in remission. Stories like lou’s fueled the advancement of MCEDs, demonstrating the possibilities of earlier cancer diagnoses.
Sutter Health is a top enrollment site for PATHFINDER 2,placing its clinicians and patients at the forefront of this evolving field. “As a top enrollment site to PATHFINDER 2, Sutter places its clinicians and patients at the forefront of research that could reshape how cancer is detected,” says Dr. Natalia Colocci, Cancer service Line medical oncology section chief, and an investigator for PATHFINDER 2 at Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute and co-author of the abstracts presented at ESMO.
The ongoing research is translating innovation into patient care, according to Dr. Amanda Wheeler, chair of Sutter’s Advanced Cancer Service Line. ”The results presented at ESMO mark an important turning point in cancer detection and highlight Sutter’s role as a trusted research partner, contributing not just study participants, but also leadership and expertise to help translate innovation into patient care.”
Sutter Health is currently recruiting for the next phase of this research through the REACH Study – a clinical trial investigating real-world evidence to advance multi-cancer early detection and health equity. Individuals interested in learning more and determining their eligibility can contact clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org.
