MRD first patient - Banner

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and Guardant Health are pleased to announce the enrolment of the first patient in the melanoma cohort of the 2148 MRD study, a downstream project of the SPECTA platform.

The 2148 MRD study is exploring the potential of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) to detect cancer recurrence earlier than conventional monitoring approaches. The study focuses on patients with solid tumours who are disease-free following curative treatment but remain at high risk of relapse. Through longitudinal blood sample collection and molecular analysis, researchers aim to assess whether ctDNA can serve as a reliable marker of minimal residual disease (MRD).

The enrolment of the first patient marks the start of the melanoma cohort, expanding the study’s efforts to generate evidence on the role of ctDNA monitoring across tumour types. For patients with melanoma, earlier detection of recurrence could help inform clinical decision-making and future treatment strategies.

Rebecca Lee, study coordinator for the melanoma arm of the 2148 MRD study, highlighted the potential of ctDNA monitoring to support more personalised patient management:

“This study represents a critical step towards personalised monitoring and treatment of melanoma. By tracking circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) over time, we aim to detect molecular evidence of relapse or treatment response earlier than conventional imaging, enabling treatment to be tailored to the individual patient. This approach could identify patients who need earlier intervention while sparing others unnecessary treatment and toxicity. By moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach, this preliminary research will enable us to assess how melanoma could be monitored which will inform future more personalised treatment approaches aimed at delivering the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.”

Rebecca Lee, study coordinator for the melanoma arm of the 2148 MRD study, highlighted the potential of ctDNA monitoring to support more personalised patient management:

The study will follow patients over time to evaluate the ability of ctDNA to identify molecular signs of disease recurrence before they become clinically apparent, with the ultimate goal of improving patient follow-up and supporting more personalised cancer care.

“This study represents a critical step towards personalised monitoring and treatment of melanoma. By tracking circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) over time, we aim to detect molecular evidence of relapse or treatment response earlier than conventional imaging, enabling treatment to be tailored to the individual patient. This approach could identify patients who need earlier intervention while sparing others unnecessary treatment and toxicity. By moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach, this preliminary research will enable us to assess how melanoma could be monitored which will inform future more personalised treatment approaches aimed at delivering the right treatment to the right patient at the right time”, said Rebecca Lee, the study coordinator of the Melanoma cohort.”

“This important research demonstrates how ctDNA monitoring capabilities can potentially transform outcomes for patients with melanoma,” said Helmy Eltoukhy, Guardant Health chairman and co-CEO. “By enabling oncologists to make data-driven treatment decisions powered by precision liquid biopsy insights, we can continue to shift the standard of care toward a more individualized approach that optimizes patient care.” 

Guardant Health chairman and co-CEO Helmy Eltoukhy emphasised the broader potential of ctDNA monitoring to inform treatment decisions and advance precision oncology:

The 2148 MRD study reflects a growing commitment to advancing innovative approaches to disease monitoring and improving outcomes for patients treated with curative intent. Insights generated through the study may contribute to the future integration of ctDNA-based monitoring into routine cancer follow-up.