FDA advisory panel endorses Grail blood test for cancer, saying benefits outweigh risks

Live updates

1. 51m ago

   FDA Advisory Panel Endorses Grail Multi-Cancer Blood Test

   An FDA advisory panel voted that the benefits of Grail's multi-cancer early detection blood test outweigh its risks. The test screens for 50 different types of cancer. While the panel provides a positive recommendation, the test still requires formal FDA approval before it can be widely adopted. This approval is the primary factor determining if Medicare and other private health insurers will cover the cost of the screening for patients.

   Why it matters

   Early detection of cancer typically improves survival rates but often requires invasive procedures. A single blood test for 50 cancers would simplify screening. The PATHFINDER 2 study evaluated the performance and safety of this specific detection method.

   What is confirmed

   • An FDA advisory panel endorsed the Grail blood test for cancer.
   • The panel stated that the benefits of the test outweigh the risks.
   • The blood test screens for 50 types of cancer.

   What to watch next

   • Official FDA approval decision
   • Medicare and insurance coverage determinations
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. Nature — Performance and safety of a multi-cancer early detection test: the PATHFINDER 2 study
   2. STAT — FDA advisory panel endorses Grail blood test for cancer, saying benefits outweigh risks
   3. Reuters — US FDA advisers endorse Grail cancer test's benefits in key vote
   4. The Washington Post — One blood test could screen you for 50 cancers. Here’s why it’s controversial.
   5. MarketWatch — This test screens for 50 cancers — but whether Medicare and other health insurers will cover it hinges on FDA approval
   confidence 100%