SHERLOCK liquid biopsy trial launched

Researchers at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto have launched the SHERLOCK trial, a large-scale study to determine if a blood test (liquid biopsy) can detect molecular residual disease after cancer treatment. The trial, funded by a $50-million donation from the The Peter G. Peterson Foundation, aims to enroll 7,000 patients across multiple cancer types. Lead investigator Dr. Lillian Siu hopes the test can identify patients at high risk of recurrence, allowing early intervention with experimental immunotherapies, while negative results may spare patients from unnecessary treatments. The observational study will follow patients for at least five years. Although promising, liquid biopsies are not yet standard of care, and further trials are needed. The trial is a Canadian-led initiative that has already shown anecdotal success, as in the case of patient Paul Lonergan, who participated in a related study.