SAGA Diagnostics has launched its ultrasensitive Pathlight™ MRD test for colorectal cancer, extending a platform already in use for early-stage breast cancer into GI oncology. Backed by data from one of the largest real-world ctDNA studies in stage I–III CRC, the test is designed to detect molecular residual disease at levels conventional assays miss.
What’s striking is when Pathlight flags risk. In the CITCCA cohort, more than 40% of high-risk patients harbored residual disease at a key clinical landmark — detectable only at ultra-low ctDNA levels. Those signals weren’t academic: ctDNA status strongly separated patients with high versus low relapse risk, months before clinical recurrence.
For gastroenterologists and oncology teams, this raises a pivotal question. If recurrence risk can be identified earlier — and more precisely — how might that reshape decisions around adjuvant therapy, surveillance intensity, and follow-up strategy?