Blood-based MRD Test for Cancer Recurrence Can Generate Cost Savings in Colorectal Cancer Treatment, Finds Study in JAMA Health Forum

Core Insights - The study indicates that ctDNA testing for minimal residual disease (MRD) can lead to cost reductions of up to 21% for health plans when half of eligible stage II colorectal cancer patients are tested for treatment decisions [1][7] - ctDNA MRD tests are advanced blood tests that help identify early signs of residual or recurrent cancer after surgery, potentially allowing patients to safely avoid chemotherapy [2][5] Cost Analysis - The analysis showed that implementing ctDNA MRD testing could save $221,684 in total or $0.018 per member per month (PMPM) for commercial health plans, and $116,720 in total or $0.01 PMPM for Medicare Advantage plans [7][9] - The cost savings differ between commercial and Medicare plans due to variations in the average age of plan members and associated clinical practices [8] Clinical Implications - The DYNAMIC trial demonstrated that ctDNA MRD testing reduced the need for adjuvant chemotherapy by nearly half (15% vs. 28%) without compromising recurrence-free survival [5][6] - The study provides evidence that health plans can reimburse for ctDNA MRD testing without negatively impacting their budgets while gaining valuable clinical insights [3][4] Future Outlook - The analysis suggests that if more than 50% of eligible patients are tested, the cost savings could be even greater [9][14] - Quest Diagnostics plans to launch a clinical version of the Haystack MRD™ test broadly in the U.S. later this year, following its acquisition of Haystack Oncology [10][12]