Sunnyvale, California, October 5, 2026
GRAIL, Inc. is set to present new clinical and real-world data evaluating its Galleri® multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test at two major oncology and cancer-detection meetings in October 2026. The company will present six abstracts at the Early Detection of Cancer Conference (EDCC) in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from October 6–8, followed by two presentations at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026 in Madrid, Spain, from October 23–27. The presentations will feature additional findings from the NHS-Galleri trial and PATHFINDER 2 study, covering cancer detection, diagnostic workups, health equity, screening adherence, and the potential real-world impact of MCED testing. The latest analyses are intended to provide additional evidence on how blood-based cancer detection could complement existing screening approaches and support earlier identification of cancer.
New Data Explore Galleri Cancer Detection Performance
At EDCC, GRAIL will present research examining the preclinical detection window of the Galleri test using data from the NHS-Galleri trial. The analysis is designed to evaluate the period during which cancer may be detectable before conventional clinical diagnosis and includes findings compatible with the potential use of annual MCED screening. Another presentation will examine the spectrum of histologically distinct cancers detected by the company’s methylation-based technology, including rare cancer types. GRAIL will also present PATHFINDER 2 data evaluating Galleri performance across self-reported racial and ethnic groups, addressing an important consideration for the broader implementation of emerging cancer screening technologies. Additional EDCC presentations will examine mammography screening adherence before and after MCED testing and the potential population impact of annual Galleri screening on reducing cancer diagnoses made in emergency care settings.
PATHFINDER 2 Data Highlight Diagnostic Workups
GRAIL will also bring new findings from PATHFINDER 2 to the 2026 ESMO Congress, including a rapid oral presentation focused on the efficiency and safety of Cancer Signal Origin (CSO)-guided diagnostic workups following a positive MCED test. The company will also present a poster examining diagnostic workups following a positive multi-cancer blood test in clinical practice. These analyses are important because a positive MCED result must be followed by appropriate diagnostic evaluation to determine whether cancer is present and identify its location. According to GRAIL, its technology is designed to predict the likely Cancer Signal Origin, helping guide subsequent diagnostic evaluation. The company said ongoing analyses from NHS-Galleri and PATHFINDER 2 continue to build evidence around integrating MCED testing into routine care.
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Galleri Advances Multi-Cancer Early Detection Research
GRAIL’s Galleri test uses a targeted methylation-based approach to screen for signals associated with more than 50 cancer types, including several cancers that currently lack recommended population screening options. The company’s broader clinical evidence program includes more than 380,000 participants across multiple studies. GRAIL states that Galleri is intended to be used in addition to recommended cancer screening tests, rather than as a replacement for established screening methods. A positive cancer signal requires confirmatory diagnostic testing, while a result indicating no cancer signal does not rule out cancer. The company also notes that the test can produce false-positive and false-negative results. The latest EDCC and ESMO presentations are expected to add further evidence concerning the performance, implementation, and potential clinical impact of MCED testing. By evaluating early cancer detection, diagnostic efficiency, population impact, and health equity, the studies highlight the growing role of blood-based technologies in cancer screening research and precision oncology. GRAIL’s ongoing work could contribute to the development of new approaches for identifying cancer earlier, when treatment may have a greater opportunity for curative intent.
Source: GRAIL press release
