Blood tests designed to detect cancer without surgery or tissue biopsy are at the center of a major scientific push this year. Guardant Health submitted 38 studies to the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, according to a report by Stock Titan. The volume of research signals how quickly the field of liquid biopsy, which looks for signs of cancer in a patient's blood, has grown.
The ASCO annual meeting is one of the most closely watched events in cancer research. Physicians, researchers, and companies present findings that can shape how doctors screen, diagnose, and treat cancer patients in the years that follow. Having 38 studies accepted at a single meeting is a significant presence for one company.
Guardant's tests analyze circulating tumor DNA, which is genetic material shed by cancer cells into the bloodstream. The approach allows clinicians to look for cancer or track how it responds to treatment using a standard blood draw rather than a surgical biopsy. The technology has drawn wide interest because it could make cancer testing faster, less invasive, and potentially more accessible for patients who cannot easily undergo traditional procedures.
Liquid biopsy tests have already received regulatory clearance for certain uses in the United States, including monitoring patients who have already been diagnosed with cancer. Researchers are also studying whether the technology can work earlier, catching cancers before symptoms appear or before they spread to other parts of the body.
The breadth of the 38 studies covers multiple cancer types and clinical questions. Some examine how well the tests detect specific cancers. Others look at how results from liquid biopsies can guide treatment decisions. Still others explore the technology in combination with other diagnostic tools.
ASCO 2026 takes place in Chicago. The findings presented there will be reviewed by the wider oncology community, and studies that show strong results often go on to inform clinical guidelines or support applications for broader regulatory approval.
The company's presence at this year's meeting reflects the broader competition in the liquid biopsy market, where several companies are working to establish their tests as standard tools in cancer care. Payers, hospital systems, and regulators are all watching the accumulating evidence to decide how and when to cover or require these tests.
