Datar Cancer Genetics (DCG), with research facilities in India, US and the UK, has announced the launch of Target-MRD, an advanced molecular residual disease (MRD) monitoring blood test for solid organ cancers. Target-MRD is a blood test based on tumour-agnostic next-generation sequencing (NGS) and customised, tumour-informed droplet digital PCR (dd-PCR) assay.

In patients who undergo initial anticancer treatments, a small number of tumour cells can survive and persist in the body. This low 'disease burden' is capable of leading to a relapse, which can remain undetectable by traditional genomic and imaging methods. Timely detection of this 'minimal residual disease' is now considered critical towards mitigating risks of recurrence.

Target-MRD offers personalized, ultra-sensitive detection and monitoring of residual disease at the molecular level, if any, to assist oncologists to intervene early, well before the disease gets out of hand. Target-MRD combines tumour-agnostic (to detect tumor evolution) and tumor-informed (specific to a patient's cancer) biomarkers thus offering a comprehensive and ultra-high sensitivity solution for more effective disease management.

Dr Darshana Patil, Senior Director, Global Strategy and Medical Affairs at DCG said, "With its ability to sensitively detect minimal residual disease, Target-MRD empowers clinicians with the information they need to make timely, data-driven decisions, improving patient outcomes and ultimately transforming the way cancer is managed."