Grail has partnered with Quest Diagnostics to enable access to its Galleri multi-cancer early detection test for healthcare providers in the US.
This collaboration marks the starting phase of a programme aimed at improving access to the cancer test.
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The Quest Diagnostics connectivity system allows US providers to order the test directly.
This system, which was used by more than 500,000 providers last year, claims to facilitate electronic ordering and report delivery via Quest’s Quanum laboratory portal and over 900 electronic health record (EHR) systems.
This new arrangement claims to simplify the process for physicians ordering the Galleri test and expands its availability.
Individuals can visit any of Quest’s patient access points available throughout the country, without needing to carry a test kit for blood collection.
Grail president Josh Ofman said: “We know every minute counts for busy providers, their staff, and their patients, which is why we’re so pleased to work with Quest to offer a seamless experience that fits into providers’ existing ordering process.
“We believe this integration will help to make it easier to incorporate the Galleri test into routine exams to help screen for cancer before it becomes symptomatic when outcomes may be improved.”
The test operates on the principle that cancers shed DNA into the bloodstream, providing a detectable “fingerprint”.
It is a proactive screening tool that can detect DNA from cancer cells through a simple blood draw. The test is particularly valuable for cancers without recommended screenings such as pancreatic and ovarian cancer.
Designed to detect cancer in asymptomatic individuals, the Galleri test can be a critical tool for early intervention.
It also enables healthcare providers to gain insights into the potential origin of the detected cancer, aiding in further diagnostic procedures and is particularly advised for adults aged 50 or above at an elevated risk of cancer.
The test has yet to receive approval from the US Food and Drug Administration but it is regulated under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) for high-complexity testing.
In January 2023, Grail introduced a research-use-only methylation-based technology to further the cancer research post-diagnosis setting.
