What Is ctDNA Multi-Cancer Early Detection?

Cells from all organs carry DNA. Throughout their life cycle, these cells release fragments of their DNA into the bloodstream. 

  • cfDNA (Cell-free DNA): These are DNA fragments released passively from cells into the bloodstream.
  • ctDNA (Circulating Tumour DNA): These are cell-free DNA released from tumour cells. Tumour cells release ctDNA actively with multiple features significantly different with cfDNA

Following a similar concept, ctDNA technology is clinically applied to detect and examine tumour DNA in the blood. This enables the early detection of cancer for healthy individuals, as well as profiling and tracking tumour progress in cancer patients.

Test Process:

  1. Request the test through your primary care doctor. A 10ml blood sample will be collected. 
  2. The extracted DNA from your blood plasma will be sequenced using next-generation ctDNA technology to analyse the methylation profile and multi-features of DNA.
  3. You will receive your ctDNA signal analysis results after one month.

What Do the Results Mean?

Negative: No ctDNA signal detected
 
  • This means ctDNA was not detected at the time test is conducted. This test only provides a snapshot of the blood at the time of collection and does not predict future cancer risks.
  • You should still continue with other screening tests as recommended by your doctor. Do not ignore cancer signs or symptoms if they occur, as this could lead to a delayed diagnosis.
Positive: ctDNA signal detected
 
  • This means that ctDNA signal associated with tumour cells was detected in the blood. The result may include 1 - 2 predictions of the origins of tumour in the body where the cancer may be found.
  • As this is a screening test, your doctor may refer you to a specialist, and a confirmatory imaging test is usually required to confirm if cancer is truly present.

The Signal Can Come from These 10 Area

  • Liver-Biliary Tract
  • Esophagus
  • Lung
  • Pancreas
  • Colorectum
  • Head & Neck
  • Ovary
  • Stomach
  • Endometrium
  • Breast

Limitations

The method of analysing ctDNA released from cancer cells into the peripheral blood has the following limitations:

  • A negative result (no ctDNA detected) does NOT COMPLETELY rule out the presence of a tumour. This may occur if the tumour falls outside of the 10 cancer types, is located in an area where ctDNA release is difficult or exhibits notably distinct epigenomic profiles in secondary cancer compared to the primary cancer.
  • The sensitivity of the test varies depending on the organ within the scope of investigation. This test is a supporting screening test, and is NOT a substitute for recommended routine cancer screening tests.
  • A positive result (ctDNA detected) does NOT COMPLETELY confirm that a test participant has cancer, as specific physiological or pathological conditions may lead to a “pseudo” ctDNA signal. A positive result should be evaluated by a doctor / consultant and confirmed through diagnostic imaging tests.
  • The tumour's origin is predicted using an artificial intelligence algorithm that analyses the distinct features of ctDNA from potential tissue origins covered in the scope of this test. However, ctDNA features may overlap, resulting in the INCOMPLETE determination of the tumour's origin.

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