Guardant Health presented results of largest study on ctDNA in colon cancer
Guardant Health (GH) presented results of the largest study to date evaluating circulating tumor DNA, ctDNA, in colon cancer prior to chemotherapy, demonstrating the ability of the Guardant Reveal test to stratify the risk of disease recurrence and overall survival, and thus inform treatment decisions after surgery. Data from the phase III trial of FOLFOX-based adjuvant chemotherapy involving over 2,000 patients with stage III colon cancer with median follow-up of 6.1 years were presented at the 2025 American Society for Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. Results demonstrated that circulating tumor DNA detected in the bloodstream after cancer surgery and prior to the start of adjuvant therapy, using the Guardant Reveal test, is a strong predictor of the risk of disease recurrence and poorer survival, and suggest the potential for ctDNA testing to improve decision-making at a critical time point for post-operative chemotherapy. Specifically: Among patients with post-surgical ctDNA detected, 62.6% had the cancer return within 3 years, despite having had adjuvant chemotherapy, while only 15.4% of patients with undetectable ctDNA recurred in the same period. The level of ctDNA, or tumor fraction, showed promise in identifying individuals who are less likely to clear residual disease with adjuvant treatment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
5 hours ago
- Business Insider
Microsoft says its new health AI beat doctors in accurate diagnoses by a mile
Microsoft said its medical AI system diagnosed cases more accurately than human doctors by a wide margin. In a blog post published on Monday, the tech giant said its AI system, the Microsoft AI Diagnostic Orchestrator, diagnosed cases four times as accurately as a group of experienced physicians in a test. Microsoft's study comes as AI tools rapidly make their way into hospitals and clinics, raising questions about how much of medicine can or should be automated and what role doctors will play as diagnostic AI systems get more capable. The experiment involved 304 case studies sourced from the New England Journal of Medicine. Both the AI and physicians had to solve these cases step by step, just like they would in a real clinic: ordering tests, asking questions, and narrowing down possibilities. The AI system was paired with large language models from tech companies like OpenAI, Meta, Anthropic, and Google. When coupled with OpenAI's o3, the AI diagnostic system correctly solved 85.5% of the cases, Microsoft said. By contrast, 21 practicing physicians from the US and UK — each with five to 20 years of experience — averaged 20% accuracy across the completed cases, the companyadded. In the study, the doctors did not have access to resources they might typically tap for diagnostics, including coworkers, books, and AI. The AI system also solved cases "more cost-effectively" than its human counterparts, Microsoft said. "Our findings also suggest that AI reduce unnecessary healthcare costs. US health spending is nearing 20% of US GDP, with up to 25% of that estimated to be wasted," it added. "We're taking a big step towards medical superintelligence," said Mustafa Suleyman, the CEO of Microsoft's AI division, in a post on X. He added that the cases used in the study are "some of the toughest and most diagnostically complex" a physician can face. Suleyman previously led AI efforts at Google. Microsoft did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Will AI replace doctors? Microsoft said in the blog post that AI "represents a complement to doctors and other health professionals." "While this technology is advancing rapidly, their clinical roles are much broader than simply making a diagnosis. They need to navigate ambiguity and build trust with patients and their families in a way that AI isn't set up to do," Microsoft said. "Clinical roles will, we believe, evolve with AI," it added. Tech leaders like Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates have said that AI could help solve the long-standing shortage of doctors. "AI will come in and provide medical IQ, and there won't be a shortage," he said on an episode of the "People by WTF" podcast published in April. But doctors have told BI that AI can't and shouldn't replace clinicians just yet. AI can't replicate physicians' presence, empathy, and nuanced judgment in uncertain or complex conditions, said Dr. Shravan Verma, the CEO of a Singapore-based health tech startup. Chatbots and AI tools can handle the first mile of care, but they must escalate to qualified professionals when needed, he told BI last month.
Business Journals
7 hours ago
- Business Journals
The Pearl launches in Charlotte as a blueprint for health care transformation
The Pearl has officially opened its doors, marking the launch of a transformative new model in health care. Strategically uniting leading-edge medical training, academia and the most innovative names in health technology, The Pearl is designed to ignite collaboration, catalyze economic growth and drive innovative solutions for the city, region and beyond. The Charlotte-based innovation district was created by a visionary public-private partnership led by Atrium Health, Wexford Science & Technology, LLC and Ventas. Home to the Charlotte campus of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the city's first four-year medical school, and the exclusive North American headquarters of IRCAD, a global network of advanced surgical training facilities, The Pearl will be a global destination for medical education and research. 'We built The Pearl to unlock the next era of clinical breakthroughs by uniting the brightest minds with the most advanced technologies in modern medicine,' said Eugene A. Woods, CEO of Advocate Health, of which Atrium Health is a part. 'It's where the world's top medical technology companies will work alongside surgeons, scientists, startups and students from Charlotte's first four-year medical school with the singular goal of finding new treatments and cures. Simply put, it will be a place where excellence lives — and excellence is learned.' Over the next 15 years, the district is projected to generate more than 5,500 on-site jobs and more than 11,500 total jobs across the region, making The Pearl a catalyst for economic growth and opportunity. 'Building vibrant, amenity-rich communities that spark innovation begins by bringing together visionary people and transformative ideas,' said Thomas Osha, executive vice president of Wexford Science & Technology, the developer of The Pearl. 'Grounded in research, discovery, entrepreneurship, corporate partnership and deep community engagement, The Pearl is more than a district — it's the beginning of a bold new chapter in Charlotte's innovation story.' At the heart of The Pearl is the Charlotte campus of Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The school of medicine is the academic core of Advocate Health. With its first class of students starting in July, enrollment is expected to increase to 100 students per class over the next five years. 'Complete with a state-of-the-art simulation center, we're reimagining education at Wake Forest University School of Medicine for the next generation of medical professionals,' said Dr. Julie Freischlag, chief academic officer of Advocate Health and CEO of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. 'By integrating traditional learning with real-world experience and community engagement, The Pearl fosters an environment where learning extends far beyond the classroom.' Appealing to different learning styles, the school of medicine's Charlotte campus curriculum takes a unique, problem-based approach to learning, known as integrated biomedical sciences. The approach uses weekly clinical cases as springboards for students to learn foundational science and evaluate possible diagnoses, in addition to considering outside factors that may impact patient outcomes. The Pearl also is home to IRCAD North America, which includes a surgical training curriculum with the latest techniques in cardiovascular, neuro and orthopedic surgeries, among others, all of which are unique to the network. With programs set to begin in September, it's expected to draw thousands of medical professionals from across the globe annually. 'I congratulate Advocate Health on the grand opening of The Pearl, which will help provide lifesaving care to the Charlotte community and foster cutting-edge medical innovation,' said North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein. 'With an estimated 5,500 onsite jobs, The Pearl will also be a boon to Charlotte's economy, strengthen North Carolina's health care network and position our state as a global destination for advancing complex medical care.' The commitment to educating the next generation of medical professionals also is evident through Atrium Health's partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Together, with support from other partners, they've launched a science, technology, engineering and mathematics — or STEM — program designed to help middle school students get excited about careers in health care through free learning opportunities in an on-site lab. 'This innovation district is a powerful symbol of Charlotte's commitment to creating opportunities for everyone who calls this city home,' said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. 'Not only does it honor our past by recognizing the rich history of Brooklyn, but it also looks to create space for inclusive growth.' Located in the area historically known as Brooklyn — once a thriving African American community that was displaced in the 1960s and 1970s — the district is designed to reflect that legacy of resilience. With exhibits that pay homage to Brooklyn's enduring legacy, The Pearl aims to be a place where people from all walks of life will feel welcome and grow together. 'This is an important milestone for our entire community,' said Mark Jerrell, chair of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners. 'This investment has the potential to foster greater opportunities for our residents, scholars and workforce in a way that honors this community's rich history, while also paving the way for a brighter future.' The grand opening, which marked the completion of the first of three phases and includes more than 700,000 square feet of space, included walking tours, performances by local artists, a showcase of community partners and exhibits that reflect both the technological aspirations and the cultural heritage of the neighborhood. National excitement: What others are saying Sen. Phil Berger, North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore: 'The Pearl is more than an innovation district in Charlotte — it's a launchpad for North Carolina's future. By attracting world-class partners like Wake Forest University School of Medicine and IRCAD North America, as well as investing in cutting-edge innovation, The Pearl is driving economic growth, expanding opportunity and helping shape a healthier, more prosperous state. Its impact will stretch far beyond city limits — fueling talent, research and progress that benefits all North Carolinians.' Dr. L. Ebony Boulware, dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, chief science officer and vice chief academic officer of Advocate Health: 'As our world is changing, especially with technology advances, we are challenged to rethink everything — how we teach, how students learn and how we prepare the next generation of physicians to lead. This challenge became an opportunity. And our new school of medicine campus at The Pearl is our answer. This is a place where medicine meets technology, where education meets entrepreneurship — and where talent becomes transformation.' Rep. Destin Hall, North Carolina House of Representatives Speaker: 'The Pearl stands as one of North Carolina's most significant investments in decades, delivering profound impacts both economically and in human health. By bringing Wake Forest's world-class medical school and its partnership with Atrium Health to Charlotte, they are addressing the state's critical health care needs while generating substantial economic growth and opportunity.' John Kowal, president and head of the Americas at Siemens Healthineers: 'North Carolina is an increasingly important location for our business. The combination of IRCAD North America, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte and our U.S. Experience Center within The Pearl makes it the ideal site for innovation, collaboration and improved patient care.' Sen. Thom Tillis, United States Senate: 'The launch of The Pearl represents a transformative milestone for Charlotte and the entire state of North Carolina. By uniting institutions like Atrium Health, Wake Forest Baptist Health and Wake Forest University School of Medicine, this innovation district will advance groundbreaking research, generate economic growth and further elevate North Carolina's role as a national leader in science, medicine and technology.' Dr. Dionisios Vrochides, Executive Director of IRCAD North America: 'We're at the forefront of a new era in surgical education, driven by medical robotics, augmented reality, telepresence and AI. With IRCAD North America being part of The Pearl, we're creating a global ecosystem where innovation meets precision. Here, the world's brightest medical minds will converge to transform the future of minimally invasive surgery across every discipline.' Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is a pre-eminent academic learning health system based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and part of Advocate Health. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist's two main components are an integrated clinical system with locations throughout the region and , the academic core of Advocate Health and a recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research.
Business Journals
7 hours ago
- Business Journals
Wake Forest's Charlotte campus redefines medical education with inaugural class
When Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte opens this July, Charlotte will welcome its first class of 49 medical students to the new campus in The Pearl innovation district. The program will debut a pioneering, case-driven curriculum that immerses students in real-world patient scenarios from day one—reshaping how future physicians are trained. This campus builds on the Winston-Salem-based program and makes problem-based learning the cornerstone of its educational approach. Students and faculty at both campuses share resources, research opportunities and rotations. The connection allows students and faculty to tap into the full resources of the school across both locations, says Roy E. Strowd, M.D., vice dean for undergraduate medical education at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who travels weekly between both sites. 'There's not that traditional lecture piece that many would be familiar with from their training,' Strowd said. 'The week starts with a case, and that becomes the springboard for self-guided instruction with faculty oversight.' The medical community's response has been unprecedented. When Strowd started recruiting for the first 30 teaching positions, he received nearly 170 applications. With enrollment expected to reach approximately 100 students per class over the next five years, the first Charlotte students will work with as many as 1,000 area physicians during their final two years of clinical rotations. expand Anatomy instruction relies on advanced tools rather than traditional cadaver labs, which allows students to learn anatomy longitudinally throughout their training rather than in isolated blocks. Students use virtual reality systems and plastinated specimens. (Plastination refers to the process of replacing water and fat in biological tissue with durable plastics.) The students also begin ultrasound instruction from day one. 'Wake Forest University School of Medicine is going to have the ability to really change the landscape of what we know about medical education,' Strowd said. The Charlotte campus' home at The Pearl sits just steps from Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, a Level I trauma and academic hospital. That proximity supports early clinical exposure through advanced technology and specialized services. The Pearl also hosts IRCAD North America, a world-renowned surgical training center providing expertise in robotics and minimally invasive surgery. Ensuring educational excellence across both locations remains a priority. The School of Medicine maintains consistent academic standards across both campuses. Graduates from Charlotte and Winston-Salem complete the same exams, residency match benchmarks and graduation requirements. Student performance in courses and phases is closely monitored and used to refine instruction. expand This expansion responds to a clear regional need. Charlotte was the nation's largest city without a four-year medical school. North Carolina also has one of the biggest rural populations in the country. The School of Medicine graduates enter primary care at high rates, and many stay in state for residencies. Once both campuses reach full enrollment, the Wake Forest University School of Medicine expects to graduate about 245 doctors per year, making it the largest medical school in the state by enrollment. The model also expands research opportunities for medical students in both cities, with students and faculty engaging in basic science work primarily in Winston-Salem and implementation-based projects in Charlotte. Character development remains central to the School's mission. Like the Winston-Salem campus, the Charlotte campus will focus on developing physicians who demonstrate intellectual humility, curiosity, compassion and courage through community integration and strategic partnerships. 'We're not reinventing what's happening in Charlotte's medical community, we're becoming integrated into what's already there and helping it grow,' Strowd said.
