New Blood Test Used in Cancer Trial
Creatv Bio's LifeTracDx liquid biopsy test will be used as an exploratory biomarker in a Phase 2 study for metastatic colorectal cancer. The collaboration with CytoDyn highlights the growing use of non-invasive blood tests in clinical trials to get real-time insights on treatment response.
The LifeTracDx test goes beyond just counting circulating tumor cells (CTCs); it also identifies and analyzes Cancer-Associated Macrophage-Like cells (CAMLs). These are immune cells that have engulfed tumor cells, providing a different window into the cancer's characteristics. This dual-cell analysis offers the potential for a more comprehensive picture of the disease. The Phase 2 trial for metastatic colorectal cancer will enroll 60 patients to evaluate the efficacy of CytoDyn's drug, leronlimab, in combination with standard chemotherapies TAS-102 and bevacizumab. The primary goal is to measure the objective response rate, meaning the proportion of patients whose tumors shrink or disappear. The LifeTracDx test will be used at several points to track changes in the cancer. A key aspect of the trial is to see if leronlimab can increase the expression of a protein called PD-L1 on tumor cells. In a previous study on metastatic breast cancer, leronlimab treatment led to a significant increase in PD-L1 in 88% of patients. This is important because higher PD-L1 levels can make tumors more susceptible to a powerful class of drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors. This approach of turning immunologically "cold" tumors (those that don't provoke a strong immune response) into "hot" tumors is a major focus of CytoDyn's research. The LifeTracDx test plays a crucial role by providing real-time feedback on whether the drug is successfully remodeling the tumor microenvironment. Traditionally, monitoring response to treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer relies on imaging scans like CTs and MRIs, along with blood tests for the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) biomarker. Liquid biopsies offer a non-invasive way to potentially get a more detailed molecular picture of the tumor's response without repeated radiation exposure or invasive procedures. The broader field of liquid biopsies is experiencing significant growth, with the global market valued at over $4 billion in 2024 and projected to more than double by 2030. This expansion is driven by the rising preference for minimally invasive diagnostics and the increasing adoption of precision medicine in oncology.
