Guardant Health’s blood test shows promise for early cancer detection

Published 29/04/2025, 21:26
Guardant Health’s blood test shows promise for early cancer detection

PALO ALTO, Calif. - Guardant Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: GH), a precision oncology company valued at $6.13 billion, has reported that its Shield™ multi-cancer detection (MCD) test has shown high specificity and clinically meaningful sensitivity in detecting multiple types of cancer. The findings were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting earlier this week. According to InvestingPro data, the company has demonstrated strong momentum with a 120% return over the past six months, reflecting growing investor confidence in its innovative technologies.

The study demonstrated that the Shield MCD test has a specificity of 98.5% and an overall sensitivity of 60%, with a sensitivity of 74% for the six most aggressive cancer types, which include esophageal-gastric, hepatocellular, lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. Additionally, the test showed an 89% accuracy rate in determining the primary or secondary cancer signal of origin. This technological advancement has contributed to Guardant Health’s impressive 31% year-over-year revenue growth, as reported in InvestingPro’s latest financial analysis.

These results have informed the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) decision to select the Shield MCD test for its upcoming Vanguard Study, which will evaluate emerging MCD technologies.

The research assessed 778 individuals, with a mix of known cancer diagnoses and cancer-free participants, ranging in age from 40 to 78 years old. The sensitivity rates for the ten cancer types studied varied, with esophageal-gastric cancer at 96% and prostate cancer at 21%.

AmirAli Talasaz, co-founder and co-CEO of Guardant Health, expressed optimism about the Shield test’s potential to detect multiple cancers earlier through a simple blood draw, which could help reduce cancer mortality rates.

William Greenleaf, Ph.D., a consultant for Guardant Health and a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, highlighted the test’s strong performance, particularly in detecting aggressive cancers where early detection is crucial.

Guardant Health, founded in 2012, specializes in advanced blood and tissue tests, real-world data, and AI analytics to improve patient care and accelerate new cancer therapies. The company maintains a strong financial position with a current ratio of 4.68, indicating robust liquidity to fund its innovative research. For deeper insights into Guardant Health’s financial health and growth prospects, including 8 additional ProTips and comprehensive valuation metrics, visit InvestingPro for exclusive analysis and expert recommendations in the healthcare sector.

The full data abstract from the study can be accessed on the AACR website, and more information about the NCI Vanguard Study is available on its website. This news is based on a press release statement from Guardant Health, Inc.

In other recent news, Guardant Health has introduced the Guardant360® Tissue test, a groundbreaking molecular profiling test that offers a comprehensive multiomic analysis, including DNA, RNA, and exome-wide methylation data. This test requires significantly less tissue for analysis, potentially allowing more patients to benefit from detailed cancer insights. In a strategic move, Guardant Health has partnered with Pfizer to integrate its liquid biopsy portfolio into Pfizer’s oncology clinical studies, aiming to enhance the development and commercialization of cancer treatments. Additionally, Guardant has extended its lease for facilities in Redwood City, California, through 2031, ensuring operational stability without significant financial impact. In analyst coverage, Mizuho Securities has given Guardant Health an Outperform rating with a price target of $55, highlighting the company’s growth potential in the precision oncology market. Guardant Health has also partnered with Bayshore HealthCare to offer its cancer diagnostic tests in Canada, expanding access to advanced cancer screening and treatment tools. These developments underscore Guardant Health’s ongoing commitment to advancing cancer care through innovative technologies and strategic collaborations.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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