Fremont, California | April 13, 2026
Personalis, Inc. has unveiled new data showcasing its ultrasensitive ctDNA-based cancer monitoring platform, NeXT Personal®, along with the debut of its Real-Time Variant Tracker™, at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026. The company highlighted how its advanced minimal residual disease (MRD) testing technology can detect cancer recurrence at extremely low levels and track therapy resistance mutations in real time, marking a significant advancement in precision oncology and genomic diagnostics. These innovations aim to transform cancer management by enabling earlier intervention, improved treatment selection, and continuous monitoring of disease progression.
Ultrasensitive ctDNA Detection Enhances Early Cancer Monitoring
The DOORwaY90 study represents the first prospective, multicenter U.S. trial evaluating Y-90 selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) using partition dosimetry in patients with unresectable HCC. The trial successfully met its co-primary endpoints, with all evaluable patients responding to treatment, resulting in complete local tumor control.
Notably, 75% of responses were durable beyond six months, with a median duration of 295 days, underscoring the therapy’s long-lasting clinical benefit. These outcomes significantly exceed historical benchmarks for liver-directed therapies and position SIR-Spheres as a leading treatment option in advanced HCC management.
Personalized Dosimetry Enhances Efficacy and Safety
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Personalis’ NeXT Personal platform is designed to achieve ultrasensitive circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection, reaching levels below 100 parts per million (ppm) and even 10 ppm, enabling clinicians to identify minimal residual disease (MRD) and early recurrence with unprecedented accuracy. The data presented at AACR demonstrated the platform’s ability to predict treatment response and disease progression in multiple cancer types, including colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
This level of sensitivity is critical for guiding clinical decisions, particularly in the post-treatment setting, where early detection of recurrence can significantly improve patient outcomes. The technology integrates tumor-informed genomic profiling with advanced algorithms, ensuring precise and personalized cancer monitoring across diverse patient populations
Real-Time Variant Tracker Enables Therapy Resistance Monitoring
A key innovation introduced by Personalis is the Real-Time Variant Tracker™, a first-of-its-kind feature that allows longitudinal tracking of therapy resistance mutations, such as ESR1, during MRD testing. This capability enables clinicians to monitor how tumors evolve over time and detect emerging resistance mechanisms, providing critical insights for adapting treatment strategies.
The platform’s ability to track mutations in real time represents a major advancement in dynamic cancer management, where treatment decisions can be continuously refined based on molecular changes. By combining real-world clinical data with analytical validation, the company has demonstrated that this feature can significantly enhance the clinical utility of MRD testing, supporting more informed and timely interventions.
Multi-Omics and AI Integration Drive Precision Oncology Innovation
Personalis’ approach integrates genomic sequencing, bioinformatics, and AI-driven analytics to deliver comprehensive insights into tumor biology. The platform supports applications across the entire cancer care continuum, including treatment response prediction, relapse detection, and biomarker discovery for drug development. The data presented at AACR included findings from studies such as the NEOPRISM-CRC trial, which demonstrated the role of ctDNA monitoring in predicting response to immunotherapy.
By leveraging multi-omics data and machine learning technologies, Personalis is enabling a shift toward data-driven precision oncology, where therapies are tailored to individual patient profiles and disease dynamics. This integrated approach also supports biopharmaceutical research and clinical trial optimization, further expanding its impact across the healthcare ecosystem.
Clinical Impact and Future of MRD-Based Cancer Management
The advancements presented by Personalis highlight the growing importance of MRD testing and ctDNA analysis in modern oncology. As cancer treatment increasingly moves toward personalized and adaptive care models, technologies that enable continuous disease monitoring and early detection will play a critical role in improving survival outcomes. The ability to detect cancer at ultra-low levels and track resistance mutations provides clinicians with powerful tools to optimize therapy, reduce relapse risk, and enhance patient management. These innovations are expected to drive the next wave of precision medicine, transforming how cancer is diagnosed, monitored, and treated.
Personalis’ latest data underscores a major advancement in genomic diagnostics and precision oncology, demonstrating how ultrasensitive ctDNA detection and real-time mutation tracking can revolutionize cancer care. With its innovative platform and AI-driven capabilities, the company is well-positioned to lead the transition toward continuous, data-driven cancer management, offering new hope for improved patient outcomes and more effective therapeutic strategies.
Source: Personalis press release
