Quest Diagnostics Launches Novel Flow Cytometry MRD Blood Test for Myeloma, Enabling Ultrasensitive Detection of Residual Disease

Rhea-AI Summary

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) launched Quest Flow Cytometry MRD for Myeloma on Feb 2, 2026, an ultrasensitive blood test for measurable residual disease (MRD) in multiple myeloma.

The test reports sensitivity comparable to next-generation sequencing, five-day specimen stability versus three days for conventional flow, works without a pre-treatment baseline aspirate, and is promoted as lower cost to support broader access and clinical-trial monitoring.

Positive

• Sensitivity comparable to next-generation sequencing for MRD detection
• Specimen stability of 5 days, extending transport window versus conventional flow
• Does not require a pre-treatment baseline aspirate for ongoing monitoring
• Positioned for use in clinical-trial response monitoring following FDA draft guidance

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Myeloma incidence: 36,000 new cases per year Myeloma deaths: 11,000 deaths per year Quest phlebotomy sites: 7,000 sites +5 more

8 metrics

Myeloma incidence 36,000 new cases per year Annual U.S. multiple myeloma diagnoses (American Cancer Society)

Myeloma deaths 11,000 deaths per year Annual U.S. multiple myeloma deaths (American Cancer Society)

Quest phlebotomy sites 7,000 sites Quest patient service centers across the United States

Specimen stability 5 days Stability of Quest Flow Cytometry MRD for Myeloma blood specimens

Conventional stability 3 or fewer days Specimen stability for conventional flow cytometry MRD tests

Sensitivity improvement Tenfold Sensitivity gain of next-generation sequencing vs conventional flow cytometry

MRD monitoring baseline Baseline aspirate not required New test use without pre-treatment bone marrow baseline

FDA draft guidance January 2026 Draft guidance on MRD as primary endpoint in myeloma trials

Market Reality Check

Price: $187.03 Vol: Volume 1,125,646 is about...

normal vol

$187.03 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,125,646 is about 1.12x the 20-day average of 1,001,472, indicating slightly elevated trading ahead of this announcement. normal

Technical Shares at $187.03 are trading above the 200-day MA of $178.8 and about 5% below the $197.55 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

DGX gained 2.57% while key peers were mixed and mostly flat (LH +0.22%, WAT -0.1...

DGX gained 2.57% while key peers were mixed and mostly flat (LH +0.22%, WAT -0.13%, NTRA -0.14%, PKI 0%, MTD -0.06%). Scanner data shows no concurrent sector momentum.

Common Catalyst Another peer (NTRA) reported FDA-related news, but broader diagnostics stocks did not show a coordinated move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 21 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 21	Reputation recognition	Positive	-2.3%	Named to Fortune's 2026 World's Most Admired Companies list.
Jan 15	Leadership transition	Positive	+1.9%	Announcement of CEO-elect for Sonora Quest and planned succession.
Jan 08	Earnings scheduling	Neutral	-0.2%	Set date and call details for Q4 and full-year 2025 results.
Jan 06	Oncology MRD data	Positive	+4.0%	Haystack MRD® ctDNA data to be presented at ASCO GI Symposium.
Jan 05	JV partnership	Positive	-0.2%	Completion of Corewell Health joint venture and new Michigan lab plans.

Pattern Detected

Recent news shows a mix of aligned and divergent reactions, with some positive corporate or partnership developments followed by mild pullbacks.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, DGX has reported recognition on Fortune’s 2026 World's Most Admired Companies list, leadership changes at Sonora Quest, an upcoming Q4/FY25 earnings date, MRD data at the 2026 ASCO GI symposium, and a Corewell Health joint venture. MRD-related oncology items, such as Haystack MRD® data, coincided with a +4.02% move, while reputation and JV news sometimes saw slight declines. Today’s myeloma MRD flow test launch extends this oncology MRD theme within Quest’s broader diagnostics strategy.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-06-20

The company has an effective S-3ASR automatic shelf filed on 2025-06-20, allowing issuance of debt securities on a delayed or continuous basis under Rule 415. The registration became effective immediately under Rule 462(e), and no usage has been reported yet, with expiration noted as 2028-06-20.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Quest’s expansion in oncology diagnostics with an ultrasensitive blood-...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Quest’s expansion in oncology diagnostics with an ultrasensitive blood-based MRD test for myeloma, leveraging its 7,000 U.S. phlebotomy sites and five-day specimen stability. It complements earlier Haystack MRD® initiatives and recent oncology data disclosures. Investors may watch how adoption in clinical practice and trials evolves, how it interacts with January 2026 FDA draft guidance on MRD endpoints, and how upcoming earnings on February 10, 2026 frame the financial contribution of such advanced assays.

Key Terms

flow cytometry, measurable residual disease, next-generation sequencing, phlebotomy, +2 more

6 terms

flow cytometry medical

"novel blood test that uses advanced flow cytometry methods to assess measurable"

A laboratory method that uses lasers and sensors to count and analyze individual cells or tiny particles as they flow past a detector, like a high‑speed supermarket scanner that reads barcodes on each item. Investors care because flow cytometry is widely used in drug development, diagnostics and manufacturing quality control; demand for the instruments, reagents and services can signal progress in clinical programs, recurring revenue streams and adoption of new therapies or tests.

measurable residual disease medical

"methods to assess measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with the blood"

Measurable residual disease (MRD) is the tiny number of cancer cells that remain in a patient after treatment and can be detected using sensitive laboratory tests even when scans look clear. For investors, MRD matters because it's a strong early signal of how well a therapy works, can influence clinical trial success, regulatory decisions and future sales, and helps predict whether disease will come back much like spotting embers after a put-out fire.

next-generation sequencing medical

"provides comparable sensitivity as next-generation sequencing methods in detecting"

Next-generation sequencing is a set of laboratory techniques that read large amounts of DNA or RNA quickly and cheaply by processing millions of short genetic fragments in parallel, rather than one at a time. For investors, it matters because faster, lower-cost genetic data powers drug discovery, diagnostic tests and personalized medicine, creating scalable revenue opportunities and competitive advantages for companies that own the technology or services.

phlebotomy medical

"given Quest's approximately 7,000 phlebotomy sites across the United States"

Phlebotomy is the medical procedure of drawing blood from a vein, usually for tests, donation, or to relieve excess blood in certain conditions. For investors, it matters because the volume, cost and regulation of blood draws drive revenue and operational demand at clinics, labs and hospitals—think of it like a routine sampling system that provides the raw material for diagnostics and treatments, so changes affect service demand and margins.

oncology medical

"Quest is a leading provider of oncology testing services, including the Haystack"

Oncology is the branch of medicine focused on understanding, diagnosing, and treating cancer, including the development and testing of drugs, therapies, and screening methods. It matters to investors because advances, trial results, regulatory approvals, or setbacks in cancer research can dramatically change the value of companies and the size of potential markets—think of oncology news as weather reports that help investors steer financial decisions in a high-stakes field.

accelerated approval regulatory

"MRD as a primary endpoint in trials ... to support accelerated approval."

Accelerated approval is a process that allows new medical treatments to be approved more quickly than usual if they address serious or life-threatening conditions and show promising early results. For investors, it signals that a treatment may reach the market sooner, potentially boosting a company's prospects, but it also involves some uncertainty since full evidence of effectiveness is still being gathered.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

New test as sensitive as next-generation sequencing, and provides five-day specimen stability to support nationwide testing

SECAUCUS, N.J., Feb. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), a leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced the launch of a novel blood test that uses advanced flow cytometry methods to assess measurable residual disease (MRD) in patients with the blood cancer myeloma (also called multiple myeloma). Called Quest Flow Cytometry MRD for Myeloma, the new test provides comparable sensitivity as next-generation sequencing methods in detecting residual myeloma*, but at a fraction of the cost, supporting better care and outcomes.

"Our Flow Cytometry MRD for Myeloma test harnesses cutting-edge science and technology to deliver ultrasensitive insights from a noninvasive blood test, thereby improving care and value for patients and the healthcare system," said board-certified oncologist and hematologist Yuri Fesko, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Quest Diagnostics. "This new test merges this elite performance with improved access, given Quest's approximately 7,000 phlebotomy sites across the United States, helping to illuminate a path to better health for more patients."

Advancing disease detection for a prevalent blood cancer

Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell, in which dysregulated growth leads to the creation of abnormal antibodies affecting the blood and bones. About 36,000 new cases of myeloma are diagnosed every year in the United States, and nearly 11,000 patients die of the disease annually, according to the American Cancer Society, making it one of the most common types of plasma cell cancers. While incurable, myeloma can often be treated as a chronic condition using chemotherapy and other personalized treatments and guided by MRD monitoring during and after treatment. Physicians typically assess MRD using flow cytometry methods that detect abnormal cells in bone marrow aspirates, a type of biopsy. In recent years, next-generation sequencing has been deployed on both blood and bone marrow aspirate specimens, improving sensitivity tenfold compared to conventional flow cytometry, but at a higher price point.

The new test from Quest is unique for using next-generation flow cytometry techniques with a level of detection comparable to next-generation sequencing but on noninvasive blood specimens instead of bone marrow aspirates. In addition, the test can be used in situations where a baseline aspirate sample is not available, unlike NGS methods, which require a pre-treatment baseline sample to provide a reference for ongoing monitoring. The test also features five-day specimen stability, compared to three or fewer days by conventional flow cytometry, supporting access when specimen transport to the lab takes several days.

"The enthusiastic response received at the recent American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition upon educating the medical community about the Quest Flow Cytometry MRD for Myeloma test made it clear to me that this assay has the potential to greatly improve the treatment paradigm," said Timothy Looney, PhD, Senior Director, Immuno-Oncology, Quest Diagnostics. "The sensitivity, cost, and sample stability that we can now offer to patients and their care team will help those suffering from this potentially devastating condition."

In addition to supporting clinical care, the Quest Flow Cytometry MRD for Myeloma test is expected to have utility as a response monitoring tool in clinical trials. In January 2026, the FDA provided draft guidance on using MRD as a primary endpoint in trials evaluating drug and biological products to treat patients with multiple myeloma to support accelerated approval.

Quest is a leading provider of oncology testing services, including the Haystack MRD® test for assessing MRD in solid tumor cancers. This new offering complements Quest's comprehensive portfolio of hematopathology and advanced molecular oncology testing and services aiding care and outcomes for patients with cancer.

About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics works across the healthcare ecosystem to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We provide diagnostic insights from the results of our laboratory testing to empower people, physicians and organizations to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from one of the world's largest databases of de-identifiable clinical lab results, Quest's diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our more than 55,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives and create a healthier world. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

*Data on File

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SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

FAQ

What is Quest Diagnostics' new MRD blood test for myeloma (DGX) announced Feb 2, 2026?

It is an ultrasensitive blood-based flow cytometry test for MRD in multiple myeloma. According to the company, it offers sensitivity comparable to next-generation sequencing while using noninvasive blood specimens and lower cost.

How sensitive is the Quest Flow Cytometry MRD for Myeloma test compared with NGS (DGX)?

The test reports sensitivity comparable to next-generation sequencing for detecting residual myeloma. According to the company, it achieves NGS-like detection using advanced flow cytometry on blood specimens.

What specimen stability does the Quest MRD blood test (DGX) provide and why does it matter?

The assay offers five-day specimen stability, extending the usable transport window versus conventional flow. According to the company, this supports nationwide access when specimen transit to the lab takes several days.

Can Quest's MRD flow cytometry test (DGX) be used without a baseline bone marrow sample?

Yes, the test can be used without a pre-treatment baseline aspirate, unlike some NGS methods. According to the company, this enables monitoring when baseline aspirates are unavailable.

Will Quest's MRD test (DGX) be useful in clinical trials for multiple myeloma?

The company expects the assay to serve as a response-monitoring tool in trials. According to the company, FDA draft guidance on MRD as an endpoint increases potential trial utility and accelerated-approval relevance.