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What ASCO GI 2026 Means for Patients: How MRD Research Is Shaping GI Cancer Care

ASCO 2026 marked a pivotal milestone for Natera in gastrointestinal (GI) oncology, highlighting our expansion into indications beyond colorectal cancer (CRC) research. Several new studies (ALTAIR, STELLAR-316, CALGB/SWOG-80702) are giving us a clearer picture of how ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA) can guide care, identify patients at higher risk of recurrence and potentially open the door to new treatment options.

What These Studies Found:

  • ctDNA testing can do more than predict risk, it can help guide treatment choices and help physicians decide who may benefit from additional therapy after surgery (CALGB/SWOG-80702).

  • Patients with quickly increasing ctDNA levels after surgery and treatment were more likely to experience an earlier recurrence (Ando et al).

  • Regular, repeated ctDNA testing (known as “serial testing”) was essential for identifying patients who might qualify for certain clinical trials. Tracking ctDNA over time (serial testing) gives a more complete picture than a single test result (ALTAIR).

Why This Matters:

  • A similar approach in bladder cancer (the IMvigor011 study) showed that treating patients when ctDNA becomes detectable can improve outcomes.

  • These findings show that ctDNA testing may help more than just CRC patients.

  • Clinical trials remain a vital avenue to expand access to MRD testing and new treatment strategies.

Looking Ahead:

Across multiple studies, one message is becoming clear: ctDNA is transforming how doctors understand cancer recurrence and how they make treatment decisions. From identifying high-risk patients earlier to guiding clinical trial enrollment, ctDNA-based monitoring is opening the door to more personalized, timely, and informed cancer care.

If you’re a survivor or caregiver, these advances may offer new opportunities to discuss with your care team, especially around surveillance, treatment options and clinical trials. Talk with your care team to see if Signatera™ is right for you.