Two Publications Highlight Clinical Utility of Signatera™ in Anal and Rectal Cancers

Key Terms

cell-free dna medical

Fragments of DNA that float freely in the bloodstream after being released by dying or damaged cells, like puzzle pieces carried downstream that hint at what’s happening upstream. Investors care because measuring these fragments enables non‑invasive tests — for example to detect cancer, monitor treatment response, check pregnancy health, or spot organ rejection — so advances, approvals, or reimbursement changes can quickly affect companies that develop the tests and related technologies.

circulating tumor dna medical

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

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.

chemoradiotherapy medical

A cancer treatment that combines chemotherapy (drugs that travel through the body to kill or weaken cancer cells) with radiotherapy (high-energy beams aimed directly at a tumor). Using both at once is like attacking a problem with a spray and a spotlight — the drug treats hidden or spreading disease while radiation targets the visible tumor — and it matters to investors because combined regimens can change drug demand, treatment costs, regulatory pathways, and reimbursement decisions.

neoadjuvant therapy medical

Neoadjuvant therapy is medicine given before the main treatment—usually drugs, radiation, or both—aimed at shrinking a tumor or improving surgical outcomes. For investors it signals a strategic step in a drug’s development and commercial path: successful neoadjuvant results can make a treatment easier to use, expand its approved indications, and increase market value much like priming soil before planting improves the eventual harvest.

non-operative management medical

Non-operative management is a medical approach that treats a condition without surgery, using medicines, therapies, monitoring, or lifestyle changes instead. For investors it matters because choosing non-surgical care can shift demand and revenue between drug makers, medical device firms, hospitals and outpatient services, much like choosing to repair rather than replace a car changes which businesses get the work and how much they earn.

molecular residual disease medical

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.

biomarker medical

A biomarker is a measurable indicator found in the body, such as in blood or tissues, that provides information about health, disease, or how the body responds to treatment. For investors, biomarkers can signal the potential success or risk of medical products or therapies, influencing the value of related companies and industry trends. They act like signals or clues that help assess the progress of medical advancements and their market impact.

New findings show that Signatera status can help identify high-risk patients and inform non-operative management and surveillance strategies

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA), a global leader in cell-free DNA and precision medicine, today announced two peer-reviewed publications highlighting the clinical utility of Signatera, its personalized, tumor-informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assay, in anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) and locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).

ASCC: publication in Nature Communications

A recently published study evaluated 84 patients with ASCC to assess whether serial Signatera testing may offer a dynamic, treatment-responsive biomarker to further stratify recurrence risk and inform surveillance and treatment. Key findings include:

• Signatera-status was strongly correlated with clinical outcomes. Patients who were Signatera-negative at baseline or cleared ctDNA during chemoradiotherapy (CRT) had favorable outcomes, including 100% one-year overall survival and progression-free survival, and 0% one-year local regional failure. Patients who remained ctDNA-positive after CRT had poorer outcomes (63% OS, 44% PFS, 39% locoregional failure at one year).
• In 100% of recurrent cases, Signatera-positivity preceded clinical and/or radiographic recurrence highlighting ctDNA’s potential as an early indicator of relapse.

LARC: publication in Cancers

Another recent study evaluated 220 patients with LARC treated with neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) followed by non-operative management (NOM) (n=72) or surgery (n=148). The study examined how Signatera status after NAT may inform patient selection for organ-preserving NOM versus surgery and guide intensified surveillance strategies. Key findings include:

• Signatera identified post-NAT patients at high risk of relapse requiring surgical intervention. Signatera-positive NOM patients were at 4.6x higher risk of regrowth requiring surgery (HR 4.62; p=0.003), even among those with a complete or near-complete clinical response.
• Post-operative Signatera negativity was associated with excellent clinical outcomes. Signatera-negative patients (HR:15, p=0.001) experienced a relapse rate of 11.5% compared to 88.0% among Signatera-positive patients (p<0.0001).

“Together, these publications address key questions about monitoring treatment response and recurrence risk in anal and rectal cancers,” said Alexey Aleshin, M.D., MBA, corporate chief medical officer and general manager of oncology at Natera. “By providing earlier insight into molecular residual disease, Signatera can support more individualized surveillance and treatment decisions.”

About Natera

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA and precision medicine, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. We aim to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard-of-care to protect health and inform earlier, more targeted interventions that help lead to longer, healthier lives. Natera’s tests are supported by more than 400 peer-reviewed publications that demonstrate excellent performance. Natera operates ISO 13485-certified and CAP-accredited laboratories certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) in Austin, Texas, and San Carlos, California, and through Foresight Diagnostics, its subsidiary, operates an ISO 27001-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory certified under CLIA in Boulder, Colorado. For more information, visit www.natera.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements and are not a representation that Natera’s plans, estimates, or expectations will be achieved. These forward-looking statements represent Natera’s expectations as of the date of this press release, and Natera disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including with respect to whether the results of clinical or other studies will support the use of our product offerings, the impact of results of such studies, our expectations of the reliability, accuracy, and performance of our tests, or of the benefits of our tests and product offerings to patients, providers, and payers. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in greater detail in "Risk Factors" in Natera’s recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, and in other filings Natera makes with the SEC from time to time. These documents are available at www.natera.com/investors and www.sec.gov.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260316838962/en/

Investor Relations: Mike Brophy, CFO, Natera, Inc., investor@natera.com
Media: Lesley Bogdanow, VP of Corporate Communications, Natera, Inc., pr@natera.com

Source: Natera, Inc.