Multi-cancer Early Detection (McED)
McED tests are screening blood tests for Active Cancer by looking at molecular traces of their existence. McED tests are designed for asymptomatic patients age 50+ without an active diagnosis of cancer within the last 5 years.
Clarion Precision Medicine will cover the cost of a Diagnostic Scan (MRI or CT) by a private Canadian radiology provider in case of a positive McED test to verify tumor presence.
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GeneSeeq is a Canadian company which uses Fragmentomics and Methylation scanning to detect evidence of cancer mutations in their Multi-cancer Early Detection test.
CanScan uses whole genome sequencing is performed with NGS.
Fragmentomics is a technique which detects locations of previous DNA breaks. If these breaks occur near key locations associated with cancer, then there may be a malignant gene mutation.
Methylation is a technique which detects the methylation, or the chemical modifications on DNA leading to it being frequently read/transcribed. If this occurs in critical areas that code for cellular growth, then there may be a malignant gene mutation.
Illustration denotes a weakened part of a DNA strand, suggestive of prior break and possible mutation.
CanScan by GeneSeeq has a 79%, 87%, 92%, and 97% sensitivity for detecting Stage I, II, III, and IV cancers respectfully, with 97.8% specificity.
Advantages
Economical pricing
Coverage for up to 24 cancer tissues of origin, with up to 59 cancer sub-classes.
Drawbacks
Does not pinpoint the mutations.
Does not report viral genome such as HepB/EBV (but has the potential to).
Galleri (formerly Grail)
Galleri originates from the Univeristy of Hong Kong and was acquired by Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN). They are currently one of the most executed tests, at >100,000 tests done over 7years.
Galleri performs Methylation scans, and uses this information to infer the presence of malignant cancer mutations.
Methylation is a technique which detects the methylation, or the chemical modifications on DNA leading to it being frequently read/transcribed. If this occurs in critical areas that code for cellular growth, then there may be a malignant gene mutation.
Galleri has an 51.5% overall sensitivity for detecting 50 covered cancers of all stages with 99.5% specificity. PMID: 34298717, PMID 34176681
Illustration shows highlighted segments of a DNA strand indicating methylation and possible mutation.
Advantages
Coverage for up to 21 cancer tissues of origin, with up to 50 cancer sub-classes.
Drawbacks
Poor sensitivity for some of the cancers, as little as 10%.
Does not pinpoint the mutations.
Does not report oncogenic viruses.
Not yet accessible in Canada.
Only available in the USA for US based residents. Blood cannot be shipped to the USA for Galleri currently.
*** Illumina has been ordered by the EU to divest and sell Galleri to another firm for 2024.