Analyses provide deeper insights into outcomes from the ALTAIR study presented at ASCO GI
Natera, Inc., a global leader in cell-free DNA and precision medicine, announced that updated analyses from its ALTAIR clinical trial will be presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI), scheduled for January 8–10, 2026.Updated Analysis From Phase III ALTAIR TrialA new analysis from the randomized, double-blind, Phase III ALTAIR clinical trial (NCT04457297) will be shared during the symposium. The ALTAIR study evaluated treatment on molecular recurrence (TOMR) using Trifluridine/Tipiracil (FTD/TPI) in Signatera-positive patients with stage I–IV colorectal cancer (CRC).This investigator-initiated analysis was based on a post-hoc blinded central radiographic review, which led to the reclassification of a subset of cases. The updated findings demonstrated a statistically significant disease-free survival (DFS) benefit for patients treated with FTD/TPI compared with placebo across the full study population Analyses provide deeper insights into outcomes from the ALTAIR study presented at ASCO GI
- Median DFS: 9.23 months (FTD/TPI) vs. 5.55 months (placebo)
- Hazard Ratio (HR): 0.75
- 95% Confidence Interval: 0.55–0.98
- P-value: 0.0406
These results represent a meaningful update to the previously reported overall ALTAIR analysis, which showed a numerical improvement in DFS that did not reach statistical significance.
Signatera Velocity Study Highlights Relapse Risk Stratification
In addition to ALTAIR, Natera will present data from a large-scale study evaluating Signatera velocity as a prognostic marker for relapse risk in colorectal cancer.
The study found that CRC patients whose Signatera levels doubled within one month or less experienced approximately 40% shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) compared with patients showing slower ctDNA doubling times. Importantly, the association between ctDNA increase rate and recurrence risk remained statistically significant regardless of whether patients received adjuvant chemotherapy.
This analysis is specific to Natera’s proprietary quantification approach, which measures mean tumor molecules (MTM) per milliliter of plasma.
Executive Commentary
“Natera’s unmatched scale of evidence across tumor types uniquely positions the company to define ctDNA dynamics and translate them into meaningful biological insight and clinical action,” said Adham Jurdi, M.D., Senior Medical Director of GI Oncology at Natera.
“We believe these capabilities, including TOMR-based approaches, can ultimately enable more precise risk stratification and improved cancer management.”
Overview of Natera’s ASCO GI 2026 Presentations
Natera will have 14 abstracts presented at ASCO GI 2026, covering ctDNA monitoring, molecular residual disease (MRD), artificial intelligence, and clinical trial design.
January 8, 2026 | 11:30 AM PT
- Abstract #440
Presenter: Sahar Forootan Sedigh
Topic: Tumor-informed ctDNA monitoring for early recurrence detection in stage II/III esophageal cancer - Abstract #843
Presenter: Axel Grothey, M.D.
Topic: AI-assisted automated abstraction for enhanced patient insights in GI cancers - Abstract #814
Presenter: Gladys Magaly Rodriguez, M.D., MS
Topic: Characterization of DPYD variants across ancestries in a real-world cancer cohort
January 9, 2026 | 11:30 AM PT
- Abstract #778
Presenter: Elishama Kanu, M.D., MA
Topic: Prognostic value of ctDNA monitoring in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
January 10, 2026 | 7:00 AM PT
- Abstract #163 – Physical activity and MRD in stage III colon cancer
- Abstract #216 – Adjuvant chemotherapy benefit by age in MRD-positive CRC
- Abstract #221 – Prognostic value of presurgical ctDNA in colon cancer
- Abstract #220 – ctDNA doubling time and recurrence timing in resected colon cancer
- Abstract #153 – Phase II FANTASTIC trial in oligometastatic CRC
- Abstract #TPS268 – NSABP FC-13 (EMPIRE) MRD platform study
- Abstract #138 – Post-hoc central radiologic review of the ALTAIR study
- Abstract #TPS245 – Design of a decentralized CRC early detection study
- Abstract #217 – Methylation-based ctDNA quantification for MRD detection
January 10, 2026 | 11:30 AM PT (Oral Presentation)
- Abstract #12
Presenter: Hideaki Bando, M.D., Ph.D.
Topic: Impact of postoperative ctDNA dynamics on ALTAIR trial eligibility and enrollment
