Quest, Mass General Brigham to study liquid biopsy for cancer treatment

SECAUCUS, N.J./BOSTON - Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX), a prominent healthcare provider with annual revenue of $10.52 billion and market capitalization of $19.35 billion, announced Thursday that its subsidiary Haystack Oncology is launching a research collaboration with Mass General Brigham to investigate the use of liquid biopsy technology in guiding post-surgical treatment decisions for cancer patients.

The partnership will conduct two prospective clinical trials focusing on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, and HPV-independent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Researchers will evaluate Haystack MRD, a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) test, as a tool for detecting minimal residual disease after treatment. According to InvestingPro data, Quest Diagnostics maintains a strong financial position with a Good overall health score, supporting its continued investment in innovative medical technologies. InvestingPro subscribers can access 8 additional key insights about Quest Diagnostics’ financial outlook.

Dr. Dan Faden, head and neck surgical oncologist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, will lead the head and neck cancer trial, while Dr. Kevin Emerick and Dr. Sophia Shalhout will co-lead the skin cancer study.

"Cancer liquid biopsy has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and the detection of minimal residual disease soon after therapy," said Dr. Faden.

The trials will analyze patient samples at multiple points during and after treatment to assess the clinical utility of the Haystack MRD test, which detects trace amounts of tumor DNA circulating in the blood.

According to Quest Diagnostics, a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that ctDNA testing using Haystack MRD identified complete response to treatment at a median of 1.4 months compared to over six months using traditional imaging tests. The company’s strong market position is reflected in its stock performance, trading near its 52-week high, with a consistent track record of maintaining dividend payments for 22 consecutive years. For detailed analysis and comprehensive financial metrics, investors can access Quest Diagnostics’ Pro Research Report, available exclusively on InvestingPro.

A survey by The Harris Poll for Quest Diagnostics indicated that 96% of oncologists believe MRD testing could identify cancer recurrence earlier than conventional methods.

Haystack Oncology, acquired by Quest Diagnostics, was developed based on research from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The Haystack MRD test is currently available as a laboratory-developed test through Quest Diagnostics.

This announcement was based on a press release statement from Quest Diagnostics, which has demonstrated solid financial performance with a gross profit margin of 33.26% and maintains a stable business model with relatively low price volatility, according to InvestingPro analysis.

In other recent news, Quest Diagnostics reported better-than-expected financial results for the second quarter of 2025. The company achieved an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.62, surpassing the analysts’ forecast of $2.57. Quest Diagnostics also exceeded revenue expectations, reporting $2.76 billion compared to the anticipated $2.73 billion. These results highlight the company’s strong performance in the recent quarter. The positive earnings announcement was well-received in the market. Quest Diagnostics’ ability to surpass both earnings and revenue projections underscores its operational strength. Investors may find these developments noteworthy as they consider their investment strategies.

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