Temple Health’s Fox Chase Cancer Center and Labcorp Collaborate to Test Ultra-Sensitive Blood-Based Assay for Early-Stage Lung Cancer Recurrence Risk

Temple Health’s Fox Chase Cancer Center, one of only 57 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers, today announced a new clinical trial collaboration with Labcorp, a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services. The study will evaluate Labcorp Plasma Detect Genome MRD, a highly sensitive, tumor-informed, whole-genome sequencing-based test, to assess risk of recurrence in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.

A Blood Test Designed to Detect Cancer Recurrence

Labcorp Plasma Detect Genome MRD measures molecular residual disease (MRD) by detecting small traces of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in a patient's bloodstream following treatment. This can signal molecular recurrence months before evidence of clinical relapse appears on traditional imaging or causes symptoms.

“Even when you think a patient is cured, recurrence is the reality for many,” said Hossein Borghaei, DO, MS, Chief of the Division of Thoracic Medical Oncology at Fox Chase and principal investigator on the study. “This collaboration between Fox Chase and Labcorp will evaluate the use of this test, which is already being used for colon cancer, to help doctors understand the risk of recurrence for patients with early-stage lung cancer.”

“As cancer care becomes more personalized, tools like Labcorp Plasma Detect Genome MRD can give us a clearer look at what’s happening in a patient’s body,” said Shakti Ramkissoon, MD, PhD, Vice President and Medical Lead for Oncology at Labcorp. “This collaboration between Labcorp and Fox Chase will test its use for early-stage lung cancer — with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for these patients.”

An Investigator-Initiated Collaboration

The investigator-initiated, observational clinical trial is being led by Fox Chase and aligns with standard-of-care treatment. Fox Chase will provide clinical oversight and access to patients, while Labcorp will contribute diagnostic expertise, advanced molecular technologies, and resources.

Patients with stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer undergoing surgery with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy at Fox Chase may participate. The study will use both blood samples collected at predefined time points and tumor tissue obtained from surgery or prior diagnostic biopsy to support the research. No additional treatment is required for participation, and involvement places no added burden on patients beyond collection of additional blood samples at specific times and routine clinical blood draws and standard‑of‑care procedures.

Building a Path Toward Clinical Impact

By correlating blood test results with conventional monitoring tools such as CT scans, researchers seek to determine whether the assay can detect cancer recurrence in patients with early-stage lung cancer earlier or more accurately than existing methods.

“The ability to predict who is at risk for recurrence has long been a critical goal of oncology,” Borghaei said. “If successful, this collaboration could help bring a powerful diagnostic tool into routine practice for patients with early-stage lung cancer.”