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.
ctdnamedical
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.
molecular residual diseasemedical
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.
mrdmedical
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.
whole-exome sequencingmedical
Whole-exome sequencing is a laboratory method that reads the portions of an individual’s DNA that directly code for proteins (the exome), which is a small but information-rich slice of the genome. For investors it matters because it’s a faster, cheaper way to find genetic changes linked to disease, guiding diagnostic tests, drug targets and personalized treatments—similar to scanning the most relevant pages of a large manual to find where errors occur.
bioinformaticstechnical
The use of computer tools and data analysis to organize and interpret large biological datasets, such as DNA, protein or patient information. It matters to investors because it speeds up research, lowers development costs and helps identify promising drug targets, diagnostics or personalized treatments—think of it as using GPS and analytics to find the fastest, most reliable route through vast amounts of lab data.
limit of detectiontechnical
Limit of detection is the smallest amount of a substance or signal that a test or instrument can reliably tell apart from no presence at all. Think of it as the faintest whisper a microphone can pick up before it sounds like silence. For investors, it matters because a lower limit means a test or product can detect earlier or smaller changes, affecting clinical claims, regulatory approval chances, market adoption, and revenue potential.
lod95technical
LOD95 is the lowest amount of a substance (like a virus, drug residue, or biomarker) that a diagnostic test will reliably detect 95% of the time. For investors, it signals how sensitive and dependable a test or assay is — a lower LOD95 means the product can catch smaller signals, which can improve regulatory approval chances, clinical usefulness, competitive edge and market demand, much like a smoke detector that notices fainter smoke.
We estimate that MRD represents a $20+ billion addressable market, growing at 30% annually, which we believe is less than 10% penetrated
FORT MYERS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
NeoGenomics, Inc. (NASDAQ: NEO), a leading provider of oncology diagnostic solutions that enable precision medicine, today announced the launch of RaDaR® ST, its circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assay for detecting molecular residual disease (MRD).
“RaDaR ST represents an important advancement in MRD testing, a rapidly growing market that remains largely untapped,” said Tony Zook, CEO of NeoGenomics. “By providing patient-specific molecular insights, the test enables clinicians to detect residual disease and recurrence sooner than conventional imaging, supporting more informed treatment decisions at each stage of care. Our goal with RaDaR ST is to give providers reliable, actionable results that can be incorporated into clinical practice and research programs, helping support informed clinical decisions and enable earlier intervention in patient care.”
RaDaR ST uses patient-specific, tumor-informed panels to detect trace amounts of tumor DNA in blood, often before recurrence is visible on imaging. The assay combines whole-exome sequencing with advanced bioinformatics to track up to 48 tumor-specific variants with a limit of detection at 95% probability (LOD95) of 11 ppm, offering high sensitivity and specificity.*
Validated through a large and growing body of clinical and real-world data, including studies in breast and HPV-negative head and neck cancers, RaDaR ST shows utility for earlier detection of recurrence, identification of patients with persistent molecular disease, and long-term surveillance in high-risk populations. The assay is approved by Medicare for initial launch indications, with two additional indications submitted for reimbursement.
“These development milestones reflect the brisk pace of innovation across our portfolio and our ongoing commitment to investing in technologies that address emerging clinical needs,” added Zook. “With the launch of RaDaR ST, NeoGenomics now offers a comprehensive solid tumor care solution that spans the continuum of cancer care from comprehensive diagnostic profiling to therapy selection and personalized MRD assessment, enabling physicians to better guide treatment decisions from diagnosis through long-term disease monitoring.”
About NeoGenomics
NeoGenomics, Inc. is a premier cancer diagnostics company specializing in cancer genetics testing and information services. We offer one of the most comprehensive oncology-focused testing menus across the cancer continuum, serving oncologists, pathologists, hospital systems, academic centers, and pharmaceutical firms with innovative diagnostic and predictive testing to help them diagnose and treat cancer. Headquartered in Fort Myers, FL, NeoGenomics operates a network of CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratories for full-service sample processing and analysis services throughout the US and a CAP-accredited full-service sample-processing laboratory in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
*Sensitivity demonstrated across four independent analytical and clinical validation studies, with detection down to 1 part per million (ppm) under study-specific conditions. Data on file.
