Singapore Launches Clinical Studies to Evaluate Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests in Asian Populations
核心洞察
Singapore will conduct a clinical study involving 1,000 high-risk participants in the second half of 2026 to evaluate multi-cancer (搜索) early detection (MCED) tests, which use liquid biopsies to screen for multiple cancers in a single blood test.
The study addresses the lack of evidence for MCED test performance in Asian populations, as most existing trials were conducted in predominantly Caucasian populations with different cancer (搜索) epidemiology and genetic architecture.
A second study called CRAnE will focus on targeted screening for cancers linked to metabolic dysfunctions such as diabetes (搜索), obesity (搜索), and high cholesterol in primary care settings.
Singapore's National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) will launch a comprehensive clinical study in the second half of 2026 to evaluate multi-cancer (搜索) early detection (MCED) tests in 1,000 participants at higher risk of cancer due to genetic factors or pre-cancerous conditions. The study represents a significant step toward validating these emerging screening technologies in Asian populations.
Addressing Evidence Gaps in Cancer Screening Technology
The clinical trial will determine whether MCED tests (搜索) successfully identify early-stage cancers in participants, who will be linked to Singapore's national health database and tracked over time to monitor cancer (搜索) diagnoses and long-term survival outcomes. While MCED technology is currently used worldwide, there remains limited evidence that these tests actually improve population health outcomes.
Professor Ravindran Kanesvaran, chairman of the medical oncology division at NCCS and study leader, emphasized the importance of population-specific validation. "Most existing clinical trials on MCED tests (搜索) were done in the West and involved predominantly Caucasian populations," he said. "The performance characteristics of these tests in Asian populations with their distinct cancer (搜索) epidemiology and genetic architecture cannot simply be assumed to be the same."
Understanding MCED Technology and Limitations
MCED tests (搜索) function as "liquid biopsies," detecting tumor DNA (搜索) and other cancer (搜索) markers from the bloodstream rather than requiring tissue samples directly from suspected tumors. These tests can screen for signs of many different cancers in a single blood test and rarely produce false alarms, according to Professor Kanesvaran. The tests can also predict where cancer originated.
However, significant limitations exist. "With early tumors, you are not going to get a lot of circulating tumor DNA (搜索)," Professor Kanesvaran noted. Additionally, the tests carry substantial cost implications, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 each. He warned that introducing these tests without considering access and cost could exacerbate healthcare inequality.
Currently, MCED tests (搜索) are not part of Singapore's national cancer (搜索) screening program due to limited evidence demonstrating their cost-effectiveness and benefit at a national level. The tests are not intended as replacements for established screening methods, including mammograms for breast cancer (搜索), Pap smears for cervical cancer (搜索), and colonoscopies for colorectal cancer (搜索).
Dual Research Initiative Through RISE
The MCED study represents one of two research initiatives launched by the Research Institute for Cancer Prevention, Screening and Early Detection (搜索) (RISE) on May 13. RISE is jointly led by NCCS and Nanyang Technological University's Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), with Professor Kanesvaran and Professor Jon Emery serving as co-directors.
The second study, called Cancer (搜索) Risk Assessments and Early detection (CRAnE), will focus on targeted screening and prevention of cancers linked to metabolic dysfunctions including diabetes (搜索), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity (搜索). These conditions increase the risk of developing colorectal, lung, and breast cancers. Led by LKCMedicine, the CRAnE study will test multi-cancer risk assessment methods in primary care settings to match individuals to appropriate screening tests and prevention advice based on their individual risk profiles.
Filling Regional Research Gaps
Professor Emery highlighted the unique position of RISE in addressing regional research needs. "There is currently no center in Asia that conducts translational research, shapes policies and delivers education focused on cancer (搜索) prevention and early detection," he said. "RISE fills this critical gap in the region. It also recognizes the important role of primary care across the cancer continuum, from prevention to screening, to early diagnosis and surviving the cancer."
The initiative aims to build on Singapore's healthcare policies and improve cancer (搜索) screening service delivery in both primary care and hospital settings.
Patient Perspective on Early Detection
The importance of early cancer (搜索) detection was illustrated by Ms. Lim Shi-Min, a 51-year-old church administrative manager and cancer survivor. Her family history of breast cancer (搜索) prompted her to begin screening at age 43. When she turned 50 in 2025, a mammogram at Eunos Polyclinic under Healthier SG revealed "a cluster of calcification." Subsequent evaluation at NCCS classified the mass as Stage 0 breast cancer, the earliest non-invasive form where abnormal cells are found only in milk duct lining without spreading to surrounding breast tissues.
Between August and October 2025, she underwent three operations and eight radiation sessions. "I am grateful that the cancer (搜索) was detected early, allowing me to get treated early. I am able to return to work, spending time with family and friends," she said. "I hope my story will encourage people who are at high risk to keep up with their regular screening."