Multi-cancer early detection (MCED)
A single blood test intended to screen for dozens of cancers at once, including ones with no screening today.
Galleri (GRAIL) detects methylation patterns and predicts tissue of origin; PMA submitted to FDA in January 2026 with an advisory committee scheduled for 23 September 2026, based on PATHFINDER 2 and the 140,000-person NHS-Galleri trial. Exact Sciences' Cancerguard launched as an LDT; Guardant Shield adds multi-cancer results. Key open question: does earlier detection reduce mortality, and at what false-positive cost?
How it works
Machine learning classifies cfDNA methylation, fragmentation, and protein biomarkers.
- Covers unscreened cancers (pancreatic, ovarian, liver)
- One draw
- Low sensitivity for stage I
- Mortality benefit unproven
- Diagnostic odyssey after positive result
A blood test screening for more than 50 cancers at once, before the FDA in September 2026.
The first FDA-approved blood test for colorectal cancer screening (2024), now optionally reporting other cancers too.
A multi-cancer blood test can be run in ordinary clinics, and most positive results can be resolved with imaging. But six in ten positives are false alarms that take months to resolve, and the test misses most cancers. Whether it reduces late-stage cancer or deaths is unknown; that requires randomised trials.
NHS-Galleri is the trial that will decide whether a blood test for many cancers at once should be offered by a health system. Its endpoint is a reduction in late-stage cancer rather than deaths, so even a positive result leaves the mortality question to be settled by longer follow-up.
A blood test can find early, treatable cancers in people who feel well, including cancers for which no screening exists. It is not a replacement for mammography or colonoscopy but a possible addition. Larger randomised trials are needed to show benefit outweighs harm.
Latest papers
topQuery for this technology: (TITLE:"multi-cancer early detection" OR ABSTRACT:"multi-cancer early detection" OR TITLE:"multicancer early detection" OR ABSTRACT:"multicancer early detection" OR TITLE:"MCED" OR ABSTRACT:"MCED"). Results are unfiltered search hits about Multi-cancer early detection (MCED), not a curated reading list.
Pages like this
not linked directly; found by shared links- TermTumour marker
Shares Early detection, Screening, Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), Liquid biopsy (ctDNA).
- IdeaOffer the blood test for bowel cancer only to people who refuse stool tests or colonoscopy
Shares Freenome, Shield, Guardant Health, Most lethal cancers are found late.
- TechnologyWhole-body MRI
Shares A 28-day national pathway for people with a positive multi-cancer blood test, Total-body PET for screening and ultra-low-dose imaging, Early detection, A whole-population cancer interception programme: risk-stratify every adult, detect and intercept early.
- CompanyDELFI Diagnostics
Shares Cheap DNA fragment-pattern blood test as a first sieve before expensive cancer tests, cfDNA fragmentomics, Johns Hopkins Hospital / Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Most lethal cancers are found late.
- TechnologyUltrasound
Shares UKCTOCS, HCC surveillance in cirrhosis (ultrasound + AFP), High-risk pancreatic surveillance (CAPS / PRECEDE), Hepatocellular carcinoma.
- TechnologyContinuous and near-continuous ctDNA monitoring
Shares cfDNA fragmentomics, Guardant Health, Paths to cures: interception, eradication, control, Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA).
- TermCA 19-9
Shares Blood-based pancreatic cancer detection in new-onset diabetes, High-risk pancreatic surveillance (CAPS / PRECEDE), Most lethal cancers are found late, Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
- TermAlpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
Shares Blood-based HCC surveillance to replace six-monthly ultrasound, HCC surveillance in cirrhosis (ultrasound + AFP), Most lethal cancers are found late, Hepatocellular carcinoma.