Exact Sciences announced it will collaborate with Philadelphia-area with Jefferson Health to conduct research on a new blood-based, multi-cancer earlier detection (MCED) test. The research will engage patients from diverse populations, with the help of primary care and specialty providers and care coordinators to gather information to evaluate methods of effective use of MCED testing.
“We share in Jefferson’s deep commitment to building a patient and provider experience that addresses the needs of all populations, including the underserved and vulnerable, so that earlier cancer detection can have the greatest impact,” said Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences in a press release. “We’re thrilled to work with a leading health system like Jefferson to determine how MCED testing can be most effectively implemented and to develop the services required to support patients and primary care physicians.”
For the collaboration, Jefferson will organize a system-based learning community to measure the impacts on population health of an MCED testing program. The effort will incorporate health system leaders, primary care physicians, patients, clinical specialists, care coordinators, population health scientists, administrators, information technology personnel, and community representatives in collaboration with Jefferson’s NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.
“We welcome the Exact Sciences team to our learning community and look forward to participating in research that allows us to ‘test and learn’ about MCED testing, including how to implement effective advances in cancer screening,” said Bruce A. Meyer, M.D., president of Jefferson Health. “We have a shared belief that earlier detection is the best way to bend the cancer mortality curve. We can make this vision a reality by working together to develop clinical pathways which will ultimately be used to deliver new early cancer detection technology and provide related services to the people we serve.”
Jefferson is conducting developmental research on patient and provider engagement with plans to participate in Exact Sciences’ FDA registration study for its MCED test. Exact Sciences and Jefferson also plan to publish results of their work in this emerging area of early cancer detection.
