PALO ALTO, Calif., May 13, 2026
DELFI Diagnostics announced that it will present the first-ever clinical utility data for a blood-based lung cancer screening test at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2026 International Conference, marking a major milestone in the evolution of non-invasive cancer detection technologies. The presentations will showcase evidence that DELFI’s blood-based screening approach may significantly improve lung cancer screening participation while expanding access to underserved populations through simplified testing workflows.
The company revealed that five scientific presentations featuring its proprietary cell-free DNA fragmentomics platform will be highlighted during the conference, including a late-breaking oral presentation from the L301 FIRSTLUNG clinical utility study. DELFI stated that the trial represents the first interventional study specifically designed to evaluate whether blood-based lung cancer testing can improve real-world screening uptake compared with conventional low-dose CT screening approaches.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, despite long-standing recommendations supporting annual low-dose CT screening for high-risk individuals. However, screening adherence remains critically low, with fewer than one in five eligible Americans receiving recommended lung cancer screening each year. DELFI Diagnostics believes its blood-based approach may help overcome major barriers limiting screening participation by integrating testing into routine blood work and primary care workflows.
FIRSTLUNG Trial Demonstrates Clinical Utility
The centerpiece of DELFI’s ATS 2026 program is the FIRSTLUNG Study, a cluster-randomized interventional trial evaluating whether offering a blood-based lung cancer test can increase overall screening participation in primary care settings. The company explained that the study directly addresses one of the most important unanswered questions in oncology diagnostics: whether blood-based screening changes physician behavior and improves patient engagement in cancer prevention programs.
Advertisement
According to DELFI, the findings demonstrated that blood-based screening may substantially improve uptake among eligible patients who otherwise may not complete conventional low-dose CT screening. Researchers emphasized that easier access to testing through routine blood draws could help close critical gaps in early cancer detection, particularly among populations facing logistical, geographic, or socioeconomic barriers to imaging-based screening.
The company’s commercially available FirstLook™ Lung test leverages advanced artificial intelligence and cfDNA fragmentomics technology to analyze patterns of circulating DNA fragments associated with lung cancer. DELFI stated that the assay delivers a negative predictive value of 99.8%, enabling physicians to identify individuals at elevated risk for lung cancer while potentially reducing unnecessary imaging procedures.
Real-World Data Highlights Screening Access
Beyond the FIRSTLUNG late-breaker presentation, DELFI Diagnostics will also present multiple studies evaluating implementation of blood-based lung cancer screening across different healthcare systems and patient populations. These presentations include real-world data from Allegheny Health Network and City of Hope examining clinical adoption, adherence improvements, and screening feasibility in underserved communities.
One presentation specifically focuses on the feasibility of at-home blood-based testing for lung cancer screening in under-resourced populations, an approach that could significantly expand access to preventive cancer diagnostics. The company noted that health systems are increasingly exploring decentralized testing strategies to improve equity in cancer detection and reduce disparities in screening participation.
DELFI executives described the ATS presentations as a turning point for blood-based cancer screening, emphasizing that the emerging clinical evidence supports broader integration of liquid biopsy technologies into routine clinical care. Company leadership stated that the findings suggest blood-based testing can move beyond analytical validation into meaningful clinical utility capable of changing real-world screening behavior.
AI Fragmentomics Technology Gains Momentum
DELFI Diagnostics’ technology platform uses advanced AI-powered fragmentomics to analyze subtle structural patterns in circulating DNA fragments released into the bloodstream by tumors. The company believes this approach offers a scalable and accessible pathway toward earlier cancer detection without relying solely on imaging procedures or invasive diagnostics.
As healthcare systems continue investing in precision oncology and early detection programs, DELFI’s ATS 2026 data may strengthen industry confidence in blood-based lung cancer screening as a practical tool for improving cancer prevention and reducing mortality through earlier diagnosis.
Source: DELFI Diagnostics press release
