Quest Diagnostics Launches Flow Cytometry MRD Test, Challenging NGS Dominance in Myeloma Monitoring
Event summary
- Quest Diagnostics launched 'Quest Flow Cytometry MRD for Myeloma,' a blood test for assessing measurable residual disease (MRD) in myeloma patients.
- The test offers sensitivity comparable to next-generation sequencing (NGS) at a lower cost.
- The test boasts a five-day specimen stability, improving accessibility compared to existing methods.
- The FDA issued draft guidance in January 2026 on using MRD as a primary endpoint in myeloma drug trials.
The big picture
Quest Diagnostics' entry into the MRD testing market with a cost-effective alternative to NGS represents a strategic shift towards broader accessibility in precision oncology. Myeloma, affecting roughly 36,000 Americans annually, presents a significant market opportunity for diagnostic testing, and Quest's expanded portfolio positions them to capture a larger share of this revenue. The FDA’s guidance on MRD as a primary endpoint further validates the importance of this testing and could accelerate its integration into clinical practice.
What we're watching
- Market Adoption
- The test's lower cost and improved accessibility could drive significant adoption among physicians, potentially disrupting the NGS market share in MRD testing for myeloma.
- Clinical Trial Impact
- The FDA's guidance on MRD as a primary endpoint suggests accelerated approval pathways for myeloma therapies, which could increase demand for Quest's MRD testing services.
- Competitive Response
- Other diagnostic companies may respond by developing similar, lower-cost flow cytometry-based MRD tests, intensifying competition in the oncology diagnostics space.
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