SAN FRANCISCO – Several Sutter Health sites participated in STRIVE, a study that is evaluating a new blood test for the early detection of multiple cancer types. Begun in 2017 and now closed to enrollment, the study recruited the highest number of Sutter patients of any trials to date, regardless of therapeutic area.

The test is being developed by GRAIL, Inc., a healthcare company based in Menlo Park. The study recruited women at the time of their screening mammogram across six institutions, with Sutter Health and the Mayo Clinic enrolling a majority of participants.

The multicenter study will evaluate this new blood test and its ability to screen for multiple cancer types in an intended use setting. The majority of cancers the test detects do not currently have an existing screening paradigm. For those that do, like breast cancer, it is intended to be a complementary screening tool.

“STRIVE has the potential to improve how we screen for multiple cancer types, including breast cancer, and is one of the largest of its kind for a health system,” says Michael Rowbotham, MD, Chief Research Officer and VP, Sutter Health/ Scientific Director.

“This initiative is instrumental in evaluating how new technology might enhance early detection of breast cancer and other cancers,” says Steve Cummings, MD, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute Senior Scientist, Executive Director of the San Francisco Coordinating Center (SFCC) and principal investigator of the study at Sutter Health. “Given its location in Northern California—one of the most diverse populations worldwide—Sutter Health research work with the STRIVE study could help pioneer breakthroughs in early diagnosis that may help improve patients’ experiences throughout the United States and beyond.”

During the STRIVE Study, blood samples were collected from women who consented to participate in the study at the time of their mammogram. Blood samples will be analyzed for small pieces of cell-free tumor-derived nucleic acids. Women will be followed for at least five years after their screening mammogram.

STRIVE AT-A-GLANCE:

• The STRIVE study enrolled over 38,000 Sutter patients at 11 mammography sites over 20 months.
• All Sutter patients who were scheduled for an annual screening mammogram were eligible to participate in the study.
• Now in the follow-up phase of the study at Sutter, STRIVE participants will be actively monitored for cancer outcomes through email and postcards, newsletter reminders and evaluation of participant’s Electronic Medical Records.
• STRIVE illustrates Sutter’s coordinated efforts to improve cancer research and treatment outcomes for patients. Sutter also participates in large, phase 1-3 national clinical studies sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and collaborates with pharmaceutical companies on cancer research.

Learn more about Sutter’s research and clinical trials portfolio.