AstraZeneca works with ArcherDX to detect the smallest residual lesions in lung cancer trials using personalized cancer detection methods

AstraZeneca will partner with Archer DX, a genomic analysis company focused on precision oncology, to use personalized cancer monitoring technology to detect small residual lesions (MRDs) in patients with early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)The personalized testing of ArcherDX will be used in AstraZeneca's recently launched Phase III MERMAID-1 trial to assess the effects of PD-L1 mono-resistant Imfinzi (durvalumab) combination chemotherapy and simple chemotherapy on disease-free survival (DFS)The trial was conducted for patients with phase II and III NSCLC who were shown to have a higher risk of recurrence through MRD dataThe primary endpoint is DFS, which displays MRD, which will be tested using highly sensitive personalized ctDNA analysis based on the sequencing of patient samples' full exonclustersthe technique is to monitor cancer cells that would otherwise not be detected by detecting circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) released into the bloodstream, and using ctDNA to monitor the presence of MRD may provide valuable information about the effectiveness of treatment, prognosis, and whether the patient's cancer recurs, ultimately providing doctors with an earlier intervention and tailoring the best treatment option soutcomes for individual cancer patientsDr Charles Swanton, chief clinician at Cancer Research UK,, said: 'MERMAID-1 is a novel randomised trial that uses ctDNA to identify patients at high risk of recurrence after surgery who may benefit from immunotherapy interventions, which we hope will improve the prognosis of patients who are most likely to relapse by enhancing the treatment of patients most at risk of recurrence'While monitoring micro-residual lesions in solid tumors has proven to be a challenge, the MERMAID-1 trial and this collaboration promise snares new horizons for lung cancer,' said Jos? Baselga, executive vice president of oncology research and development at theThis innovative effort is a major strategy to treat patients early to improve cancer outcomesEarly treatment, the chance of cure is higher, and the identification of personalized effective treatments can improve survival and quality of life'