Signatera is an ultra-sensitive circulating tumour DNA test, that is designed to detect extremely minute evidence of residual cancer in the body. This test involves next-generation sequencing of your tumour tissue, and assembly of personalised markers unique to your tumour, followed by a very deep and sophisticated search for the tumour DNA in your blood.

The knowledge of molecular “residual disease” can make an important difference in guiding treatment in some patients. The test is currently assigned “breakthrough designation” status with the US FDA, and is expected to be approved in the coming months. It is currently available under “research” status.