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The Vanguard Study: Testing New Ways to Screen for Cancer

The Vanguard Study is exploring how well new Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) tests work to find cancers early. These tests look for signs of cancer in your blood before you have symptoms. The study aims to see if it's practical to enroll people and collect the necessary information for a larger future study. We are testing two specific MCD tests, the Shield MCD test and the Avantect MCD test. You can join if you are 45-75 years old and do not currently have cancer. The main goals are to see how many people join, complete questionnaires, and provide blood samples. This study is currently unclear on its status, but plans to enroll 24,000 participants.

Study design
This interventional study will randomly assign 24,000 participants to one of three groups: two groups testing different MCD tests (Shield or Avantect) or a control group. The study is designed to assess the feasibility of recruitment and adherence to the study protocol.
What's involved
You would agree to provide blood samples at enrollment and one year later, and allow researchers to collect information from your medical records. You would also need to complete questionnaires in English, Spanish, or Arabic.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for up to 3 years to complete questionnaires and up to 2 years for blood sample collection.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06995898

The Vanguard Study: Testing a New Way to Screen for Cancer

Recruiting
NAAges 45–75InterventionalScreening
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
~24,000 participants
Updated 2026-08-26 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Biospecimen CollectionDevice UsageElectronic Health Record ReviewMulti-Cancer Detection TestQuestionnaire Administration

At a glance

Recruiting sites
41 of 41 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Feasibility of enrollment onto study
Measured over At time of randomization
+5 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Bladder Carcinoma
Breast Carcinoma
Colorectal Carcinoma
Esophageal Carcinoma
Gastric Carcinoma
Liver Carcinoma
Lung Carcinoma
Malignant Solid Neoplasm
Ovarian Carcinoma
Pancreatic Carcinoma
Prostate Carcinoma

Explore related trials

Bladder CarcinomaBreast CarcinomaColorectal CarcinomaEsophageal CarcinomaGastric CarcinomaLiver CarcinomaLung CarcinomaMalignant Ovarian NeoplasmPancreatic CarcinomaProstate CarcinomaSolid Neoplasm

Where it's being run

41 sites across 12 states
Michigan16
Colorado8
Virginia7
Missouri2
California1
Hawaii1
Maryland1
Minnesota1

Study leadership

  • Scott D Ramsey · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Who to contact

Site Public Contact
510-891-3400
Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Ages 45-75 years old
Agree to provide blood samples for possible MCD testing at enrollment and at 1 year following enrollment
Agree to allow collection of information from their medical records for study-related purposes
Understand and be able to complete informed consent and participant questionnaires in English, Spanish, or Arabic
Note: Eligibility for Spanish and Arabic languages are at the Hub's discretion

Exclusion

Solid malignant tumor or blood cancer diagnosis, with or without treatment, within the last 5 years
Note: Persons with a history of in situ cancers (e.g., ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, cervical cancer in situ, atypical melanocytic hyperplasia or melanoma in situ) or nonmelanoma skin cancer are eligible. Persons with a history of prostate cancer that has not been treated are not eligible, regardless of when the diagnosis occurred
Ongoing cancer diagnostic work-up
Ongoing participation in another study of an investigational cancer screening test or technology not currently utilized in routine clinical practice
Currently breastfeeding or pregnant, or planning to become pregnant in the next year
History of solid organ or hematopoietic transplantation at any time, or blood transfusion within the last 30 days

What this trial measures

  • Feasibility of enrollment onto studyAt time of randomization

    The number of participants enrolled into the study compared to trial goals.

  • Proportion of participants who complete baseline and follow-up questionnaires within 60 days of receiptUp to 3 years

    The proportion of participants who are complete questionnaires and timing of completion.

  • Proportion of participants who provide the required blood sample for year 1 for Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) testing within 90 days of recommended time pointUp to 2 years

    The proportion of participants who have a second blood draw and the timing of the blood draw.

  • Proportion of participants considered lost to follow-up within 2 years of randomizationUp to 2 years

    The proportion of participants who do not complete study procedures and are not able to be contacted.

  • Representative enrollmentUp to 2 years

    Meeting or exceeding the trial enrollment goals on a population basis.

  • Staggered start of intervention arm 2Up to 1 year

    Advantages and challenges arising from trial activation with one intervention arm and later addition of a second intervention arm.