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Vanguard: a new blood test approach to screen for multiple cancers

The Vanguard Study: Testing a New Way to Screen for Cancer

Not applicable Interventional National Cancer Institute (NCI) · NCT06995898

This study will test two different blood-based multi-cancer detection tests in adults 45–75 without cancer to see if they find cancers earlier than usual care.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment24000 (estimated)
Ages45 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorNational Cancer Institute (NCI) NIH
Locations37 sites (Pleasanton, California and 36 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06995898 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized feasibility study will enroll adults aged 45–75 without a recent cancer diagnosis and assign them to one of two multi-cancer detection (MCD) blood-test groups or a control group receiving usual care. Participants will provide blood at enrollment and again at one year, and researchers will collect medical record data to track results, follow-up diagnostics, and standard screening behaviors. The trial focuses on feasibility outcomes—recruitment, adherence, representativeness across sites, timeliness of result return, and diagnostic resolution of abnormal tests—rather than definitive effectiveness. Results will guide design and procedures for a larger randomized trial of MCD screening.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 45–75 years old without a solid or blood cancer diagnosis in the past five years who can give blood samples and complete consent and questionnaires in English, Spanish, or Arabic are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People currently undergoing cancer diagnostic work-up, those with a recent (within five years) cancer diagnosis, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or those already in another investigational cancer screening study are not eligible and would not benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, these blood tests could help find cancers earlier, potentially improving treatment options and outcomes for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Several observational studies of blood-based multi-cancer detection tests have shown promising ability to detect multiple cancer types, but randomized trials proving reduced cancer deaths or clear benefit are still lacking.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion 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
* 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

Where this trial is running

Pleasanton, California and 36 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Bladder CarcinomaBreast CarcinomaColorectal CarcinomaEsophageal CarcinomaGastric CarcinomaLiver CarcinomaLung CarcinomaMalignant Solid Neoplasm
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.