Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with over 14 million new cases per year and over 8 million deaths annually. Cancer incidence is expected to increase more than 70% over the next 20 years. At least half of all cancers in the United States are diagnosed in Stage III and Stage IV, leading to lower survival rates. Detecting cancer at the earliest stages dramatically increases the probability of a cure and long-term survival.The mission of Grail is to enable the early detection of cancer in asymptomatic individuals through a blood screen – with the goal of massively decreasing global cancer mortality by detection at a curable stage. Grail will leverage the power of “ultra-deep” sequencing technology, the best talent in the field and the passion of its leadership to deliver on that promise.Ultra-deep sequencing to detect circulating tumor DNA has the potential to be the holy grail for early cancer detection in asymptomatic individuals. Most tumors shed nucleic acids into the blood. Circulating tumor DNA is a direct measurement of cancer DNA, rather than an indirect measure of the effects of cancer.

Source: Grail | Pan-cancer blood screening test for circulating tumor DNA