Labcorp Expands MRD Testing for Breast, Lung and Colon Cancer Recurrence Risk

Rhea-AI Summary

Labcorp (NYSE: LH) expanded its Labcorp Plasma Detect molecular residual disease (MRD) portfolio on Jan 13, 2026, adding Plasma Detect ID for stage I–III breast cancer and stage I–IIIA non-small cell lung cancer and nationwide availability of Plasma Detect Genome for stage III colon cancer.

Both tests report a limit of detection (LOD95) of 0.005% for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). The company cited recurrence rates ranging from 10%–55% for NSCLC, 10%–40% for breast cancer, and about 35% for stage III colon cancer, and noted peer-reviewed studies and AMP 2025 data supporting clinical utility.

Positive

• Plasma Detect Genome now available nationwide for stage III colon cancer
• Plasma Detect ID expanded to stage I–III breast and stage I–IIIA NSCLC
• Analytical sensitivity: LOD95 0.005% ctDNA detection
• Peer-reviewed studies and AMP 2025 data supporting clinical utility

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

+1.43%

1 alert

+1.43% News Effect

On the day this news was published, LH gained 1.43%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Stage III colon recurrence rate: 35% Breast cancer recurrence range: 10%–40% NSCLC recurrence range: 10%–55% +5 more

8 metrics

Stage III colon recurrence rate 35% Post-treatment recurrence in stage III colon cancer

Breast cancer recurrence range 10%–40% Recurrence in stage I–III breast cancer after treatment

NSCLC recurrence range 10%–55% Recurrence in stage I–III non-small cell lung cancer

MRD test sensitivity LOD95 0.005% ctDNA limit of detection for Labcorp Plasma Detect tests

Breast cancer stages covered Stage I–III Eligibility for Plasma Detect ID MRD monitoring

NSCLC stages covered Stage I–IIIA Eligibility for Plasma Detect ID MRD monitoring

Colon cancer stage covered Stage III Eligibility for Plasma Detect Genome MRD monitoring

AMP meeting year 2025 AMP Annual Meeting where Plasma Detect Genome data were presented

Market Reality Check

Price: $266.66 Vol: Volume 875,548 vs 20-day ...

normal vol

$266.66 Last Close

Volume Volume 875,548 vs 20-day average 618,324 (relative volume 1.42) ahead of this MRD update. normal

Technical Shares at $250.39, trading below the 200-day MA of $258.56 and 14.75% under the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

Peers showed mixed, mostly small moves (e.g., DGX +0.07%, NTRA -0.23%, IQV -1.05...

Peers showed mixed, mostly small moves (e.g., DGX +0.07%, NTRA -0.23%, IQV -1.05%), suggesting today’s action in LH is more company-specific than sector-driven.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 08 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 08	Partnership / access	Positive	+0.4%	Broadened access to FDA-authorized at-home STI PCR testing via Labcorp.
Jan 08	Asset sale / focus	Positive	+0.4%	Sale of device testing assets, sharpening Labcorp’s strategic focus areas.
Dec 30	Conference appearance	Neutral	-0.9%	Announcement of fireside chat at J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.
Dec 02	Acquisition	Positive	-0.1%	Completed <b>$194M</b> acquisition of CHS outreach laboratory assets in 13 states.
Nov 24	Board appointment	Positive	-0.1%	Appointed Victor Bulto to board, adding major pharma leadership experience.

Pattern Detected

Recent strategic and partnership headlines have produced modest price moves, with some divergence when Labcorp announced acquisitions or governance changes.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, Labcorp has focused on strategic positioning and portfolio optimization. It expanded access to an at-home FDA-authorized STI PCR test and completed a $194 million outreach lab asset acquisition across 13 states. Governance changes included appointing Victor Bulto to the board effective Dec 1, 2025. Conference participation at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare event and asset divestiture to NAMSA also featured. Against this backdrop, the new MRD expansion continues Labcorp’s emphasis on oncology and advanced diagnostics offerings.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement expands Labcorp’s oncology diagnostics footprint, adding MRD monitoring for stage ...

Analysis

This announcement expands Labcorp’s oncology diagnostics footprint, adding MRD monitoring for stage I–III breast, stage I–IIIA non-small cell lung, and stage III colon cancer with ctDNA sensitivity down to 0.005% LOD95. It builds on ongoing clinical studies and peer-reviewed data supporting MRD’s role in personalized cancer care. In context of recent acquisitions and strategic partnerships, investors may watch for adoption metrics, reimbursement developments, and additional clinical outcomes data to gauge the long-term impact on the diagnostics franchise.

Key Terms

molecular residual disease, mrd, circulating tumor dna, ctdna, +4 more

8 terms

molecular residual disease medical

"Molecular residual disease (MRD) testing detects cancer recurrence months before..."

Molecular residual disease is the tiny amount of cancer that can remain in the body after treatment and is detectable only by sensitive tests that find cancer DNA or other molecular traces. It matters to investors because these measurements can predict relapse, guide whether additional therapy is needed, and shape the market for diagnostics and drugs—much like finding embers after a fire helps decide if more firefighting is required.

mrd medical

"Labcorp MRD tests now monitor recurrence risk across stage I–III breast cancer..."

MRD stands for minimal residual disease, the tiny number of cancer cells that can remain in the body after treatment and that may not show up on routine scans. Detecting MRD is like finding a few seeds left in a garden after clearing: it helps doctors predict the chance of relapse and measure how effective a therapy is, which investors watch because MRD results can influence clinical trial success, regulatory decisions, and a drug’s market potential.

circulating tumor dna medical

"detecting small traces of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in a patient's bloodstream..."

Fragments of DNA shed by cancer cells into the bloodstream that act like tiny fingerprints of a tumor; they can be detected with a blood test rather than a biopsy. Investors care because circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) enables faster, lower-cost ways to detect disease, track treatment response, identify emerging resistance and enroll patients in trials—factors that can materially affect the commercial prospects of diagnostics and therapeutics.

ctdna medical

"detecting small traces of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in a patient's bloodstream..."

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is tiny fragments of genetic material shed by cancer cells into the bloodstream, like breadcrumbs that can reveal a tumor’s presence and genetic makeup without needing a biopsy. For investors, ctDNA matters because tests and technologies that detect and analyze these fragments can speed diagnosis, track treatment response, and signal relapse, creating commercial opportunities in diagnostics, personalized therapies, and monitoring services.

limit of detection (lod95) technical

"MRD tests can detect ctDNA down to a limit of detection (LOD95) of 0.005%."

Limit of detection (LOD95) is the lowest amount of a substance that a test reliably finds 95% of the time; think of it as the faintest whisper a sensor can hear almost every time it listens. For investors, a lower LOD95 means a diagnostic or measurement product can detect smaller signals, improving clinical utility, regulatory acceptance and market competitiveness, which can affect sales, pricing and adoption risks.

whole exome sequence-guided technical

"a whole exome sequence-guided, personalized panel for patients with stage I–III..."

Whole exome sequence-guided describes medical or drug-development decisions that are based on sequencing the exome — the portions of a person’s DNA that direct protein production — to find genetic changes relevant to disease. For investors, it signals a precision approach that can identify which patients are most likely to benefit from a therapy or which targets are worth pursuing, potentially improving clinical success rates and concentrating market opportunities much like choosing the right key for a specific lock.

whole-genome mrd test technical

"nationwide availability of Labcorp Plasma Detect Genome, a whole-genome MRD test..."

A whole-genome MRD (minimal residual disease) test uses comprehensive DNA sequencing across a patient’s entire genome to find tiny amounts of cancer left after treatment. Investors care because it can more sensitively detect relapse risk and treatment success than targeted tests, influencing demand for diagnostic services, clinical trial outcomes, drug approvals, and the commercial prospects of companies developing therapies and testing platforms — like scanning every straw in a haystack to find a few needles.

liquid biopsy medical

"including liquid biopsy, tissue-based comprehensive genomic profiling, and companion..."

A liquid biopsy is a laboratory test that looks for tiny pieces of tumor or disease-related material — such as DNA, proteins, or cells — circulating in blood or other body fluids, allowing detection and monitoring without a surgical tissue sample. For investors, it matters because these tests can speed diagnosis, guide treatment choices, enable easier repeat testing, and create recurring revenue streams if adopted widely, affecting a medical company's growth and regulatory risk profile.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• Molecular residual disease (MRD) testing detects cancer recurrence months before traditional imaging
• Labcorp MRD tests now monitor recurrence risk across stage I–III breast cancer, stage I–IIIA non-small cell lung cancer and stage III colon cancer

BURLINGTON, N.C., Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services, today announced the continued expansion of its molecular residual disease (MRD)ⁱ portfolio designed to help clinicians detect cancer recurrence earlier than traditional imaging. The expanded offerings include Labcorp Plasma Detect ID, a whole exome sequence-guided, personalized panel for patients with stage I–III breast cancer or stage I–IIIA non-small cell lung cancer, and the nationwide availability of Labcorp Plasma Detect Genome, a whole-genome MRD test for stage III colon cancer.

Despite advancements in treatment, cancer recurrence rates remain a significant concern for patients and clinicians. Approximately 35% of stage III colon cancer patients will experience recurrence after treatment, along with 10% to 40% of patients with stage I-III breast cancer, and 10% to 55% of patients with stage I–III non-small cell lung cancer.

MRD testing helps clinicians track a patient's risk of cancer recurrence by detecting small traces of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in a patient's bloodstream following treatment. This can signal molecular recurrence months before clinical relapse appears on traditional imaging or causes symptoms. Both Labcorp Plasma Detect ID and Labcorp Plasma Detect Genome MRD tests can detect ctDNA down to a limit of detection (LOD95) of 0.005%. Earlier detection allows oncologists to tailor surveillance strategies and helps inform next steps, offering patients greater clarity during a critical period of uncertainty.

"For patients who have completed cancer treatment with curative intent, ongoing monitoring is essential to understand their risk of recurrence," said Shakti Ramkissoon, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, medical lead for oncology at Labcorp. "By expanding the Labcorp Plasma Detect portfolio, we're giving clinicians advanced tools to track molecular residual disease and detect recurrence risk earlier, supporting more personalized and proactive care, while increasing patient access to non-invasive testing options."

Labcorp has several ongoing and completed clinical studies that highlight the clinical utility of Labcorp Plasma Detect to track early disease progression, predict long-term outcomes, and identify residual cancer. Two peer-reviewed publications recently featured clinical studies of Labcorp Plasma Detect that focus on the test's utility in patients diagnosed with diffuse pleural mesothelioma and head and neck cancer, adding to a growing body of research that supports MRD testing as a critical component of personalized cancer care. In addition, data were presented at the recent AMP 2025 Annual Meeting outlining the continued development of Labcorp Plasma Detect Genome MRD.

The expanded Labcorp Plasma Detect portfolio builds on Labcorp's leadership in oncology diagnostics, supporting cancer care from screening and risk assessment, through diagnosis and prognosis, therapy selection and monitoring and surveillance. Through a full spectrum of clinical and oncology tests, including liquid biopsy, tissue-based comprehensive genomic profiling, and companion diagnostics, Labcorp partners with oncologists, health systems and biopharma companies to drive precision medicine, improving outcomes and expanding access for patients globally.

For more information about Labcorp's Oncology solutions, contact us at https://oncology.labcorp.com/contact-us

About Labcorp
Labcorp (NYSE: LH) is a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services that helps doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers and patients make clear and confident decisions. We provide insights and advance science to improve health and improve lives through our unparalleled diagnostics and drug development laboratory capabilities. The company's nearly 70,000 employees serve clients in approximately 100 countries, provided support for more than 75% of the new drugs and therapeutic products approved in 2024 by the FDA, and perform more than 700 million tests annually for patients around the world. Learn more about us at www.labcorp.com.

ⁱ The term MRD is often used interchangeably between molecular residual disease and minimal residual disease. Labcorp Plasma Detect detects molecular residual disease, which is defined as the subclinical presence of a cancer-associated biomarker indicating a high risk of recurrence, which cannot be detected by standard imaging techniques. MRD terminology is in accordance with the BLOODPAC Consortium.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/labcorp-expands-mrd-testing-for-breast-lung-and-colon-cancer-recurrence-risk-302659314.html

SOURCE Labcorp

FAQ

What MRD tests did Labcorp announce on January 13, 2026 for LH investors?

Labcorp announced Plasma Detect ID for stage I–III breast and stage I–IIIA NSCLC and nationwide Plasma Detect Genome for stage III colon cancer.

What is the analytical sensitivity (LOD95) of Labcorp Plasma Detect MRD tests?

Both Plasma Detect ID and Plasma Detect Genome report a LOD95 of 0.005% for ctDNA detection.

Which cancer stages are covered by Labcorp's expanded MRD testing (LH)?

Coverage includes stage I–III breast cancer, stage I–IIIA non-small cell lung cancer, and stage III colon cancer.

How soon can Labcorp MRD testing detect recurrence compared with imaging?

Labcorp says MRD testing can detect molecular recurrence months before traditional imaging reveals clinical relapse.

What recurrence rates did Labcorp cite for the cancers covered by the LH MRD expansion?

The company cited ~35% recurrence for stage III colon cancer, 10%–40% for stage I–III breast cancer, and 10%–55% for stage I–III NSCLC.

Is there clinical evidence supporting Labcorp Plasma Detect MRD tests?

Yes; Labcorp referenced several ongoing and completed clinical studies, two peer-reviewed publications, and AMP 2025 data presentations highlighting clinical utility.