ClearNote Health Enhances Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer with New Avantect® Test
Why is early detection of pancreatic cancer so critical? ClearNote Health, a company dedicated to improving early detection for some of the deadliest cancers, has launched an enhanced version of its Avantect® Pancreatic Cancer Test. This advanced test offers significantly improved detection rates, empowering clinicians to identify early-stage pancreatic cancer more effectively, thus enabling more informed and timely clinical management decisions.
The enhanced Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test boasts a higher overall cancer detection sensitivity of 82.6% and specificity of 97.5%. “The ability to discover critical information through a blood-based test has the potential to transform precision oncology care in pancreatic cancer through early detection,” said Randall Brand, M.D., director of the UPMC GI Malignancy Early Detection, Diagnosis and Prevention Program.
Key Insights at a Glance
- Detection Sensitivity: The enhanced test has an overall cancer detection sensitivity of 82.6%.
- Specificity: The test also achieves a high specificity of 97.5%.
- Early-Stage Sensitivity: Early-stage (I–II) sensitivity is more than 76%.
- Target Population: The test is intended for patients at elevated risk, including those with genetic predispositions, a family history of pancreatic cancer, or those age 50 or older with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
The Urgency of Early Detection in Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and is projected to become the second leading cause by 2030. The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only about 13%, largely due to the disease often going undiagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage. Conventional noninvasive diagnostic approaches have lacked the sensitivity and specificity required to reliably identify pancreatic cancer in its earlier stages, when patients have a better chance of survival. This gap in early detection has dire consequences for patient outcomes, making the need for more effective diagnostic tools urgent.
Why the Window for Action Is Closing Fast
Just as a ticking time bomb, the rapid progression of pancreatic cancer demands immediate and effective diagnostic solutions. ClearNote Health’s enhanced Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test addresses this critical need by integrating multiple cancer-associated signals, including epigenomic 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) patterns, genomic and genotyping information from cfDNA, and a glycan biomarker, with optimized machine learning algorithms. This integrated approach not only improves early-stage sensitivity but also provides clinicians with clearer answers and greater confidence when evaluating high-risk patients. The test is being incorporated into major studies, such as the NHS’s SAFE-D study and the international PRECEDE Consortium, further underscoring its significance and potential impact.
ClearNote Health Mobilizes for Earlier and More Reliable Cancer Detection
ClearNote Health is committed to advancing earlier and more reliable cancer detection for high-risk patients. ClearNote Health’s enhanced Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test is designed as a simple blood-based test, available through the company’s CAP/CLIA-certified laboratory in the United States and its international laboratory partnership network spanning 70 countries. The test is intended for patients at elevated risk, including those with genetic predispositions, a family history of pancreatic cancer, or those age 50 or older with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
By evaluating multiple cancer-associated signals together, ClearNote Health’s approach provides meaningful context for care discussions, offering additional context to inform clinical judgment alongside other diagnostic tools and clinical information. The company will share additional details about the improved Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test, including the latest performance data, at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and Digestive Disease Week (DDW) annual meetings.
Future Outlook
The enhanced Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test is like a beacon of hope in the fog of advanced-stage diagnoses. By providing earlier and more accurate detection, ClearNote Health is paving the way for better patient outcomes and more informed clinical decisions. The company’s ongoing commitment to advancing precision oncology care through early detection is a significant step forward in the fight against pancreatic cancer. ClearNote Health will continue to share updates and performance data at major medical conferences, further solidifying its role in transforming pancreatic cancer diagnostics.
Conclusion
The launch of the enhanced Avantect Pancreatic Cancer Test by ClearNote Health marks a significant advancement in the early detection of pancreatic cancer. By offering higher sensitivity and specificity, the test empowers clinicians to make more informed and timely decisions, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Join the conversation in the comments below.
About ClearNote Health
ClearNote Health is a privately held company dedicated to improving early detection and monitoring for some of the deadliest forms of cancer. Developed by scientists in the Stephen Quake laboratory at Stanford University, the company’s patented core Virtuoso™ epigenomics platform builds on the latest advances in artificial intelligence and bioinformatics to measure active biological differences between cancer and healthy cells in a blood sample. Its highly sensitive, noninvasive Avantect® pancreatic and ovarian tests may identify cancers in high-risk patient populations earlier than conventional approaches, when patients may be more likely to benefit from treatment. ClearNote Health’s headquarters and CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory are located in San Diego.
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