# Abbott's Whole-Genome Oncodetect Test Improves Colorectal Cancer Recurrence Detection by 30%

> Abbott's whole-genome Oncodetect test detected colorectal cancer recurrence with 72.2% sensitivity, a 30-point gain over whole-exome sequencing.

- Published: 2026-10-23T13:46:25+00:00
- Section: Research & Clinical Trials
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-23/abbott-oncodetect-colorectal-cancer-data
- Source: [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbott-presents-new-esmo-data-showing-30-percent-absolute-improvement-in-sensitivity-with-the-whole-genome-sequencing-oncodetect-test-in-colorectal-cancer-302917569.html)

## Key takeaways

- Abbott's whole-genome sequencing Oncodetect test reached 72.2% sensitivity for colorectal cancer recurrence within two years, versus 42.2% for the whole-exome version.
- Among 157 patients tested with both assays, the whole-genome test found ctDNA in 29 patients the whole-exome test identified plus 15 more, all below 20 parts per million.
- Patients with detectable ctDNA after surgery had a 10.6-fold higher recurrence risk, with two-year disease-free survival of 36.2% versus 92.3%.

Abbott said on October 23, 2026 that its whole-genome sequencing Oncodetect molecular residual disease test achieved a 30-percent absolute improvement in sensitivity for colorectal cancer recurrence within two years of surgery compared with the whole-exome sequencing version, using a single post-surgery blood draw. The company presented the Beta-CORRECT data at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress, [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbott-presents-new-esmo-data-showing-30-percent-absolute-improvement-in-sensitivity-with-the-whole-genome-sequencing-oncodetect-test-in-colorectal-cancer-302917569.html) reported.

## Beta-CORRECT Results at ESMO 2026

Abbott said the study analyzed post-surgical samples from 279 patients, predominantly with stage II and III colorectal cancer. A single blood test taken about one month after surgery using the whole-genome test achieved 72.2% sensitivity for recurrence within two years, compared with 42.2% for the whole-exome test.

Among 157 patients tested after surgery with both tests, the whole-genome test detected ctDNA in all 29 patients the whole-exome test identified, plus 15 additional patients. Abbott said all additional detections were at levels below 20 parts per million, including 14 below 10 ppm.

Patients with detectable ctDNA after surgery had a 10.6-fold higher risk of recurrence than ctDNA-negative patients, with two-year disease-free survival rates of 36.2% versus 92.3%. Among stage II patients, detectable post-surgical ctDNA carried approximately 31-fold higher recurrence risk, and only 2.8% of stage II patients with undetectable ctDNA experienced recurrence within two years.

"Beta-CORRECT adds important clinical evidence supporting the prognostic value of highly sensitive MRD testing in colorectal cancer," said Dr. Takayuki Yoshino, MD, PhD, of National Cancer Center Hospital East in Japan and principal investigator of the study. "The ability to identify additional patients with detectable ctDNA after surgery may help refine recurrence risk assessment beyond traditional clinical factors."

Dr. Rick Baehner, divisional vice president and chief medical officer, precision oncology, at Abbott's cancer diagnostics business, said sensitivity matters in MRD testing particularly after surgery when ctDNA can be difficult to detect. The findings were presented in poster 4426P. The [Oncodetect test](https://www.abbott.com) was developed and its performance characteristics determined by [Genomic Health](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0009mri/genomic-health), and it has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

## Abbott's Recent Colorectal Cancer Moves

On October 20, 2026, Abbott announced that Cologuard Plus received CE Mark for colorectal cancer screening in Europe, with 95% sensitivity and 94% specificity in the BLUE-C study, PR Newswire reported. On October 13, 2026, Abbott launched the "Mind Your Behind" campaign featuring Albert Pujols and Cal Raleigh to encourage colorectal cancer screening for adults 45 and older, LBBOnline reported. On October 21, 2026, Abbott reported third-quarter 2026 sales growth of 14.5% on a reported basis and 7.0% on a comparable basis, with GAAP diluted EPS of $0.53 and adjusted EPS of $1.42, PR Newswire reported.

## Follow-Up Data Expected

Abbott said additional patient follow-up and longitudinal data from subsequent testing time points are expected to provide further insights into the relationship between MRD, adjuvant therapy and recurrence risk over time. The findings were presented at ESMO 2026, held October 23-27, 2026, in Madrid, Spain.

## Companies in this story

- Abbott · website: https://www.abbott.com
- [Genomic Health company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0009mri/genomic-health) · website: http://www.genomichealth.com

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