Data Featuring Haystack MRD® from Quest Diagnostics to be Presented at the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

Rhea-AI Summary

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) announced that data using its Haystack MRD® circulating tumor DNA test will be presented at the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, held January 8-10, 2026 in San Francisco and online.

Two poster presentations on January 10, 2026 (12:00 PM–1:30 PM PST) will report: 1) reproducibility and clinical concordance of a tumor-informed MRD assay in resected colorectal cancer from the DYNAMIC trials (Abstract 26; lead author Jeanne Tie) and 2) use of ctDNA to monitor patients undergoing total neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (Abstract 30; lead author Eric Christenson).

Key Figures

ASCO GI dates January 8-10, 2026 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium schedule

Abstract number 26 DYNAMIC colorectal cancer MRD assay poster

Abstract number 30 ctDNA monitoring in TNT for LARC poster

Session time 12:00 PM-1:30 PM (PST) Poster presentation window on 1/10/2026

Session date 1/10/2026 Poster presentations for both Haystack MRD® studies

Market Reality Check

$180.46 Last Close

Volume Volume 748,794 is below the 20-day average of 872,866, suggesting no unusual trading interest pre-announcement. normal

Technical Shares at 173.49 are trading below the 200-day MA of 177.32, indicating a weaker intermediate trend before this news.

Peers on Argus

DGX slipped -0.17% while key diagnostics peers like WAT (+3.41%), NTRA (+3.28%), and MTD (+2.73%) were positive, pointing to a stock-specific drift rather than a sector-wide move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 19	Conference appearance	Neutral	-0.1%	J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference presentation and webcast details announced.
Dec 09	MRD collaboration	Positive	-1.2%	Haystack MRD research collaboration in Phase II lung cancer trial announced.
Dec 01	Strategic partnership	Positive	-2.9%	Octave MSDA Test distribution via about 7,000 Quest collection points launched.
Nov 25	External letter	Neutral	+0.9%	Engine Capital open letter regarding UniFirst; limited direct DGX relevance.
Nov 11	Dividend declaration	Positive	-1.1%	Quarterly cash dividend of $0.80 per share with set record and pay dates.

Pattern Detected

Recent fundamentally positive announcements (dividend, collaborations, MRD updates) often coincided with modest negative next-day moves, hinting at a pattern of restrained or fading reactions.

Recent Company History

Over the last several months, Quest Diagnostics has focused on strategic visibility and product expansion. A Dec 2025 MRD collaboration update, a multiple sclerosis test partnership expanding access via roughly 7,000 service centers, and a declared quarterly dividend of $0.80 per share all underscored growth and capital return priorities. Yet 24-hour price reactions were generally mild or negative. The new ASCO GI data presentation for Haystack MRD® fits into this ongoing effort to highlight oncology capabilities and clinical evidence generation.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-06-20

An effective S-3ASR shelf filed on 2025-06-20 permits Quest Diagnostics to issue debt securities over time, with specific terms defined in future prospectus supplements. This framework gives the company pre-cleared flexibility to raise capital via debt, though no usage has been recorded yet (usage_count 0).

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights new clinical data using the Haystack MRD® circulating tumor DNA assay in colorectal and rectal cancers, with two posters scheduled on January 10, 2026. It continues Quest’s focus on oncology diagnostics and evidence generation. In context of recent MRD collaborations and broader test partnerships, investors may watch how these ASCO GI results position the assay clinically and how they integrate with Quest’s broader strategic and capital structure tools, including its effective S-3ASR debt shelf.

Key Terms

circulating tumor dna (ctdna) medical

"data will be shared on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) minimal residual disease"

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are tiny fragments of genetic material shed by cancer cells into the bloodstream, detectable with a blood test often called a liquid biopsy. For investors, ctDNA matters because it can enable earlier, less invasive detection of cancer, track how well treatments are working, and guide drug development and diagnostic products—factors that can drive demand, regulatory decisions, and company valuations in oncology-related markets.

minimal residual disease (mrd) medical

"circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) minimal residual disease (MRD) testing during two poster"

The presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) means a very small number of cancer cells remain in the body after treatment, too few to cause symptoms or show up on routine scans but detectable with sensitive tests. For investors it matters because MRD status is a strong early indicator of whether a patient is likely to relapse and is increasingly used as a trial endpoint and regulatory signal, affecting a therapy’s market prospects and valuation much like finding glowing embers after a fire signals risk of re-ignition.

total neoadjuvant treatment (tnt) medical

"use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to monitor patients undergoing total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT)"

Total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) is a cancer care approach in which all planned drug therapy that circulates through the body (chemotherapy) and any radiation are given before surgical removal of the tumor, rather than splitting treatment between before and after surgery. For investors, TNT matters because it can change how quickly and clearly therapies show benefit in clinical trials, influence the size and timing of demand for drugs and devices, and affect costs and patient volume for hospitals—think of it like addressing the whole leak before repairing the roof, which can alter the business case for related products and services.

locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (larc) medical

"total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) for locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (LARC)."

A locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (LARC) is a cancer that starts in the glandular cells of the rectum and has grown through the rectal wall or into nearby tissues or lymph nodes but has not spread to distant organs. For investors, LARC is important because it defines a patient group targeted by specific treatments, clinical trials, and surgical or radiation approaches—changes in outcomes, approvals, or guidelines can affect drug and device markets and reimbursement economics. Like a weed that has taken over one garden bed but hasn’t seeded the whole neighborhood, LARC requires more intensive local treatment and creates distinct commercial and regulatory opportunities.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

SECAUCUS, N.J., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), a leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced that data will be shared on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) minimal residual disease (MRD) testing during two poster presentations at the 2026 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, being held January 8-10, 2026 in San Francisco, CA., and online. The studies evaluate the use of ctDNA in colorectal cancer using the Haystack MRD® test from Quest Diagnostics.

Details of the poster presentations are as follows:

Title: Reproducibility and Clinical Concordance of a Tumor-Informed MRD Assay in Patients with Resected Colorectal Cancer from the DYNAMIC Trials
Abstract Number: 26 
Lead Author: Jeanne Tie, MBChB, FRACP, MD 
Session Time and Date: 1/10/2026, 12:00 PM-1:30 PM (PST)

Title: Use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to monitor patients undergoing total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) for locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (LARC).
Abstract Number: 30 
Lead Author: Eric Christenson, MD
Session Time and Date: 1/10/2026, 12:00 PM-1:30 PM (PST)

About ctDNA MRD

A growing body of research underscores the value of ctDNA-based MRD testing to identify residual or recurring cancer in solid tumors.  By detecting trace amounts of tumor-derived DNA in the bloodstream, MRD testing can reveal molecular evidence of disease recurrence months before it becomes apparent through imaging or other conventional monitoring methods. This early insight can help clinicians tailor surveillance strategies, adjust treatment plans, and potentially intervene before disease progression becomes clinically evident. Nearly all oncologists (96%) in a recent survey by Harris Poll for Quest Diagnostics said MRD testing has the potential to identify cancer recurrence earlier than other current methods. 

About Haystack Oncology

Haystack Oncology represents the culmination of over 20 years of collaboration to advance technical and clinical development in liquid biopsy technologies by cancer genomics pioneers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics, developed Haystack MRD, a tumor-informed, next-generation MRD test that detects ultralow levels of ctDNA to uncover residual or recurrent disease with exceptional sensitivity and specificity. Haystack Oncology works with biopharmaceutical companies to accelerate and inform clinical development programs and advance important therapeutics to global markets, from early phase clinical development to companion diagnostics. Haystack MRD was developed and validated in a CLIA-certified laboratory and is available for commercial use as a lab-developed test (LDT) by Quest Diagnostics. Haystack MRD is also available for clinical trials as an investigational device by Haystack Oncology in laboratories located in Baltimore, Maryland; Hamburg, Germany; and Helsinki, Finland. www.haystackmrd.com  

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/data-featuring-haystack-mrd-from-quest-diagnostics-to-be-presented-at-the-2026-asco-gastrointestinal-cancers-symposium-302653981.html

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

FAQ

When will Quest Diagnostics (DGX) present Haystack MRD data at the 2026 ASCO GI Cancers Symposium?

Presentations are scheduled for January 10, 2026, 12:00 PM–1:30 PM PST.

What Haystack MRD topics will DGX cover in the ASCO GI Symposium posters?

Abstracts cover reproducibility and clinical concordance in resected colorectal cancer and ctDNA monitoring during total neoadjuvant treatment for rectal adenocarcinoma.

Which abstracts and lead authors are associated with DGX Haystack MRD presentations at ASCO GI 2026?

Abstract 26 (lead author Jeanne Tie) and Abstract 30 (lead author Eric Christenson).

Where can investors find the DGX Haystack MRD presentations from the ASCO GI 2026 symposium?

The symposium is in San Francisco and online; investors can view the poster sessions on January 10, 2026 via the event platform or ASCO meeting resources.

Does the DGX announcement include clinical results or numeric performance for Haystack MRD?

No; the announcement states that data will be shared at the posters but does not include specific numeric results in the release.