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

Study summary

The Vanguard Study is a feasibility study to explore several aspects of evaluating multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests in a future definitive randomized controlled trial. An MCD test measures markers in the blood in order to screen for multiple cancers simultaneously. There is a need to understand how MCDs may work as cancer screening tools. The goal of cancer screening is to reduce the burden of cancer by identifying cancers before they show symptoms or signs, when treatment is likely to be most effective. In this study, adults aged 45-75 without cancer will be randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: 2 separate MCD test groups or a control group. These two MCD tests will not be compared to each other but will be compared to cancers detected in the control group. This study will provide early information on how well MCD tests perform as cancer screening tools. It will also help researchers understand how patients and their doctors make decisions about their care when the MCD test result comes back as normal (negative) or abnormal (positive).

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Key things to know

Main goalScreening

This describes the study’s primary purpose.

What is being studiedBiospecimen Collection and Device Usage

Plus 4 other study approaches.

Who it may be forBladder Carcinoma · Breast Carcinoma

These are broad labels—not an eligibility decision.

Checked against the public recordLast updated Oct 6, 2026 · Source: ClinicalTrials.gov

Is enrollment open?Recruiting

The study is currently accepting participants.

What kind of study?Not applicable

Interventional

Where is it offered?45 U.S. locations

Locations may change over time.

Who runs it?National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Study sponsor

Study overview

What this study is about

Purpose: Screening
Study type: Interventional
Phase: Not applicable
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Interventions being studied: Procedure: Biospecimen Collection; Device: Device Usage; Other: Electronic Health Record Review; Procedure: Multi-Cancer Detection Test; Procedure: Multi-Cancer Detection Test; Other: Questionnaire Administration

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How this study is categorized

These labels come from structured fields and exact terms in the public record.

Public criteria

Who may be able to participate

The sponsor separates these requirements into two groups. You do not need to interpret them alone—use them to guide a conversation with the study team.

Requirements people may need to meetInclusion criteria

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

Reasons someone may not be able to joinExclusion criteria

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

Important: This is the sponsor’s public criteria, not a determination of eligibility. The study team must review your individual situation.

Study sites

U.S. locations

Kaiser Permanente-Division of ResearchPleasanton, California
Keefe Memorial HospitalCheyenne Wells, Colorado
Kaiser Permanente-FranklinDenver, Colorado
Poudre Valley HospitalFort Collins, Colorado
Cancer Care and Hematology-Fort CollinsFort Collins, Colorado
UCHealth Greeley HospitalGreeley, Colorado
Kaiser Permanente-Rock CreekLafayette, Colorado
Kaiser Permanente-Lone TreeLone Tree, Colorado
Medical Center of the RockiesLoveland, Colorado
Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical CenterHonolulu, Hawaii
Walter Reed National Military Medical CenterBethesda, Maryland
Henry Ford Cancer Institute-DownriverBrownstown, Michigan

Source and freshness
Processed from ClinicalTrials.gov. Last public update: Oct 6, 2026. Always confirm current availability with the study team.

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