A Study to Evaluate Multicancer Detection (MCD) Tests and Their Impact on Participant Health and Cancer Screening, The Vanguard Study

Launched by NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) · May 29, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Vanguard Study is a clinical trial that aims to evaluate two new blood tests, called Shield and Avantect, which are designed to detect multiple types of cancer early. This study focuses on adults aged 45 to 75 who do not currently have cancer, particularly in communities that are often underrepresented in medical research. The goal is to see how well these tests work for cancer screening and how patients and their doctors make decisions based on the test results. Early detection of cancer can greatly improve treatment outcomes and reduce the impact of the disease.

To participate in this study, you must be between 45 and 75 years old and willing to provide blood samples for testing at the start and again after one year. You should also agree to allow researchers to access your medical history for the study. However, you cannot have had a solid tumor or blood cancer diagnosis in the last five years, and you should not be currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant in the next year. Participants will help researchers understand how these tests can be used in everyday healthcare to catch cancers earlier and potentially save lives.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Ages 45-75 years old
• • Agree to provide blood samples for possible MCD testing at enrollment and at 1 year following enrollment
• • Agree to allow collection of information from their medical records for study-related purposes
• • Understand and be able to complete informed consent and participant questionnaires in English, Spanish, or Arabic
• • Note: Eligibility for Spanish and Arabic languages are at the Hub's discretion
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Solid malignant tumor or blood cancer diagnosis, with or without treatment, within the last 5 years
• • Note: Persons with a history of in situ cancers (e.g., ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, cervical cancer in situ, atypical melanocytic hyperplasia or melanoma in situ) or nonmelanoma skin cancer are eligible
• • Ongoing cancer diagnostic work-up as determined by site investigator
• • Ongoing participation in another study of an investigational cancer screening test or technology
• • Currently breastfeeding or pregnant, or planning to become pregnant in the next year