City of Hope to Evaluate Quest Diagnostics' Haystack MRD® for Guiding Patient Management in Multiple Cancers

Rhea-AI Summary

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) and City of Hope launched a multi-year research collaboration to evaluate the Haystack MRD® circulating-tumor DNA test in breast, colorectal, ovarian and prostate cancers.

The study will enroll about 500 patients across 14 City of Hope sites, producing thousands of longitudinal ctDNA measurements to assess MRD detection, treatment response monitoring, and earlier recurrence identification.

News Market Reaction – DGX

+0.02%

+0.02% Session close to close

In the Apr 16 session, DGX gained 0.02%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement highlights Quest Diagnostics’ effort to deepen oncology capabilities through a mul...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Quest Diagnostics’ effort to deepen oncology capabilities through a multi-year collaboration with City of Hope using the Haystack MRD ctDNA test. The program targets about 500 patients across 14 sites and multiple solid tumor types, generating longitudinal data on minimal residual disease and recurrence monitoring. In context of solid 2025 financial metrics and an effective debt shelf, investors may watch how evidence from these trials influences future clinical adoption and partnerships.

Key Figures

City of Hope sites: 14 sites Planned patients: approximately 500 patients 2025 Net revenues: $11.04B +5 more

8 metrics

City of Hope sites 14 sites Haystack MRD ctDNA research program locations

Planned patients approximately 500 patients Multi-year Haystack MRD research program

2025 Net revenues $11.04B Reported in DEF 14A for 2025

2025 Diluted EPS $8.75 Reported GAAP diluted EPS for 2025

2025 Adjusted EPS $9.85 Adjusted diluted EPS for 2025 in proxy

Incentive payout 116% of target Average annual incentive payouts in 2025

Performance share payout 154% of target 2025 performance shares in pay-for-performance plan

Director phantom units 198 units Phantom stock units awarded to Timothy C. Wentworth (Form 4, Apr 2, 2026)

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 19 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Mar 19	Earnings date notice	Neutral	-0.6%	Announced timing of Q1 2026 earnings release and conference call logistics.
Mar 12	Board appointment	Neutral	-0.6%	Elected experienced former large-cap healthcare CEO Timothy Wentworth to board.
Mar 02	AI product launch	Neutral	-0.8%	Launched Quest AI Companion to help patients interpret and act on lab results.
Feb 26	Leadership change	Neutral	+1.6%	Named new chief strategy and M&A officer to lead growth and acquisitions.
Feb 25	Conference appearance	Neutral	-0.8%	Announced CFO participation in Leerink 2026 Global Healthcare Conference.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent company updates, including AI tools, governance, and conference appearances, have generally been neutral in tone and often coincided with modest share moves, slightly negative on average around the time of the announcements.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Quest Diagnostics has emphasized strategy, technology, and investor outreach. Governance and leadership actions included appointing Timothy Wentworth to the board on Mar 12, 2026 and announcing a new chief strategy and M&A officer on Feb 26, 2026. On the tech side, the company launched its Quest AI Companion on Mar 2, 2026. Investor communications have remained active with conference participation and an upcoming Q1 2026 earnings release set for Apr 21, 2026. Today’s City of Hope collaboration fits this pattern of partnering and innovation in diagnostics.

Key Terms

circulating-tumor dna (ctdna), minimal residual disease (mrd), liquid biopsy, neoadjuvant, +2 more

6 terms

circulating-tumor dna (ctdna) medical

"implementing Haystack MRD®, a highly accurate circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA) minimal residual disease"

Circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA) is tiny fragments of cancer-derived genetic material that tumors release into the bloodstream and that can be detected with a simple blood test instead of a surgical biopsy. For investors it matters because ctDNA tests can provide faster, noninvasive signals about whether a treatment is working, detect recurrence earlier and help match patients to therapies—like an early-warning dashboard—shaping demand, clinical trial design and company valuations in diagnostics and oncology drug development.

minimal residual disease (mrd) medical

"circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA) minimal residual disease (MRD) test, for clinical trial participants"

The presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) means a very small number of cancer cells remain in the body after treatment, too few to cause symptoms or show up on routine scans but detectable with sensitive tests. For investors it matters because MRD status is a strong early indicator of whether a patient is likely to relapse and is increasingly used as a trial endpoint and regulatory signal, affecting a therapy’s market prospects and valuation much like finding glowing embers after a fire signals risk of re-ignition.

liquid biopsy medical

"We see liquid biopsy as an important frontier in oncology and aim to leverage"

A liquid biopsy is a laboratory test that looks for tiny pieces of tumor or disease-related material — such as DNA, proteins, or cells — circulating in blood or other body fluids, allowing detection and monitoring without a surgical tissue sample. For investors, it matters because these tests can speed diagnosis, guide treatment choices, enable easier repeat testing, and create recurring revenue streams if adopted widely, affecting a medical company's growth and regulatory risk profile.

neoadjuvant medical

"investigating Haystack MRD across patient management settings, including neoadjuvant, adjuvant and post-treatment"

"Neoadjuvant" describes treatments or interventions that are given before the main or primary procedure, such as surgery or a major decision. It’s like preparing the ground before planting seeds, aiming to improve the final outcome. For investors, understanding neoadjuvant approaches can provide insight into how companies enhance results or effectiveness in their processes or products.

adjuvant medical

"management settings, including neoadjuvant, adjuvant and post-treatment surveillance."

An adjuvant is an ingredient added to a vaccine or other therapy to strengthen or shape the body’s response to the main active component, like a helper that makes the primary ingredient work better or longer. For investors, adjuvants matter because they can change how well a product performs, alter dosing and safety profiles, affect regulatory review, and therefore influence clinical success, market size and competitive advantage.

post-treatment surveillance medical

"including neoadjuvant, adjuvant and post-treatment surveillance. The research is evaluating"

Post-treatment surveillance is the ongoing monitoring of patients after they receive a drug, device or medical procedure to track real-world safety, effectiveness and long-term outcomes. Investors care because these follow-up data can reveal new risks, confirm or weaken demand, influence regulatory standing and reimbursement, and change sales or liability forecasts—similar to watching how a repaired car performs over time to judge whether the fix truly worked.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Fourteen City of Hope sites across the U.S. participating in research using the Haystack MRD ctDNA Test in patients with breast, colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancer

SECAUCUS, N.J. and LOS ANGELES, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), a leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced that City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, is implementing Haystack MRD^®, a highly accurate circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA) minimal residual disease (MRD) test, for clinical trial participants with solid tumor cancers to help guide disease management for patients being treated for breast, colorectal, ovarian and prostate cancer. The multi-year research program is expected to serve approximately 500 patients with thousands of longitudinal measurements from fourteen City of Hope sites across the country, including in the Los Angeles, Orange County, Chicago, Phoenix, and Atlanta areas.

"City of Hope brings together the scientific expertise, clinical infrastructure, and advanced technology needed to evaluate emerging approaches that can meaningfully improve cancer care and health outcomes for patients," said Cristian Tomasetti, Ph.D, Professor and Director, Center for Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Monitoring, City of Hope. "We see liquid biopsy as an important frontier in oncology and aim to leverage the most accurate and effective commercially available ctDNA assays while also working to develop effective early detection platforms. We are excited to study how Haystack MRD might inform treatment decisions across several solid tumor types."

The City of Hope clinical trials are investigating Haystack MRD across patient management settings, including neoadjuvant, adjuvant and post-treatment surveillance. The research is evaluating if the test can detect minimal residual disease, monitor treatment response, and identify recurrence earlier than standard imaging modalities.

"New blood test technologies can make a significant difference for a patient. For example, they may help determine that a surgery was able to fully remove the cancer, thereby sparing chemotherapy treatment," added Dr. Tomasetti, Professor in the Early Detection and Prevention Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of City of Hope.

"City of Hope is one of the nation's foremost cancer centers, with a century-long commitment to advancing cancer care through both research and clinical excellence, and we have built a strong relationship with them over time," said Dan Edelstein, Vice President and General Manager of Haystack Oncology, a Quest Diagnostics company. "Haystack MRD is designed to help clinicians and their patients act earlier with greater confidence, based on the principle that cancer survivors and their care teams should be able to make proactive, not reactive, healthcare decisions. We believe the research collaboration will generate important evidence supporting the role of Haystack MRD in informing patient management across multiple solid tumor settings."

About ctDNA MRD
A growing body of research underscores the value of ctDNA-based MRD testing for identifying residual or recurring cancer in solid tumors. By detecting trace amounts of tumor-derived DNA in the bloodstream, ctDNA MRD testing can reveal molecular evidence of disease recurrence months before it becomes apparent through imaging or other conventional monitoring methods. This early insight can help clinicians tailor surveillance strategies, adjust treatment plans, and potentially intervene before disease progression becomes clinically evident. Nearly all oncologists (96%) in a survey by Harris Poll for Quest Diagnostics said MRD testing has the potential to identify cancer recurrence earlier than other current methods. In 2025, the FDA granted the Haystack MRD Dx test Breakthrough Device Designation for use in Stage II colorectal cancer.

About Haystack Oncology
Haystack Oncology represents the culmination of over 20 years of collaboration to advance technical and clinical development in liquid biopsy technologies by cancer genomics pioneers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics, developed Haystack MRD, a tumor-informed, next-generation MRD test that detects ultralow levels of ctDNA to uncover residual or recurrent disease with exceptional sensitivity and specificity. Haystack Oncology works with biopharmaceutical companies to accelerate and inform clinical development programs and advance important therapeutics to global markets, from early phase clinical development to companion diagnostics. Haystack MRD was developed and validated in a CLIA-certified laboratory and is available for commercial use as a lab-developed test (LDT) by Quest Diagnostics. The FDA granted Haystack MRD Breakthrough Device Designation in 2025 for use in Stage II colorectal cancer. Haystack MRD is also available for clinical trials as an investigational device by Haystack Oncology in laboratories located in Baltimore, Maryland; Hamburg, Germany; and Helsinki, Finland. www.haystackmrd.com

About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics works across healthcare to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We connect people, from clinicians to consumers, with laboratory insights that illuminate a path to better health. With a focus on delivering smarter, simpler testing, we help reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, empower healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics serves half the physicians and hospitals in the United States and one in three American adults each year, and our nearly 57,000 employees work together to deliver diagnostic insights that inspire actions to transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/city-of-hope-to-evaluate-quest-diagnostics-haystack-mrd-for-guiding-patient-management-in-multiple-cancers-302743854.html

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

FAQ

What is the scope of the City of Hope and Quest Diagnostics study of Haystack MRD (DGX)?

The study will evaluate Haystack MRD in about 500 patients across 14 City of Hope sites, covering four solid tumor types. According to the company, the multi-year program will generate thousands of longitudinal ctDNA measurements to assess MRD detection and monitoring.

Which cancers are included in the Haystack MRD clinical research collaboration with City of Hope (DGX)?

The research covers breast, colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancer patient management settings. According to the company, investigators will study neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and post-treatment surveillance uses of the Haystack MRD ctDNA test.

How many City of Hope locations will participate in the Haystack MRD research with Quest Diagnostics (DGX)?

Fourteen City of Hope sites across the U.S. will participate in the research program. According to the company, participating regions include Los Angeles, Orange County, Chicago, Phoenix, and Atlanta areas.

What clinical roles will Haystack MRD be tested for in the City of Hope collaboration (DGX)?

Haystack MRD will be tested for MRD detection, treatment response monitoring, and earlier recurrence identification. According to the company, the trials span neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and post-treatment surveillance clinical settings.

How many measurements and timeline are expected from the Haystack MRD study at City of Hope (DGX)?

The program expects thousands of longitudinal ctDNA measurements collected over a multi-year timeframe. According to the company, this longitudinal design aims to evaluate changes in MRD status and inform patient management decisions.

What potential clinical benefit does City of Hope expect from using Haystack MRD in cancer care (DGX)?

City of Hope expects Haystack MRD may help detect residual disease earlier and guide treatment decisions, potentially sparing unnecessary therapy. According to the company, the collaboration seeks evidence on informing patient management across multiple solid tumor types.