A BillionToOne Blood Test Beat Standard Scans at Predicting Cancer Survival

In a peer-reviewed study of 142 patients across 12 tumor types, the Northstar Response test tracked immunotherapy outcomes more accurately than standard-of-care imaging

A BillionToOne Blood Test Beat Standard Scans at Predicting Cancer Survival In a peer-reviewed study of 142 patients across 12 tumor types, the Northstar Response test tracked immunotherapy outcomes more accurately than standard-of-care imaging Aaron Rafferty June 30, 2026 Key Takeaways BillionToOne's Northstar Response blood test predicted survival better than standard-of-care imaging for advanced cancer patients on immunotherapy, in a peer-reviewed study. The study covered 142 patients across 12 solid tumor types and was reproduced in an independent validation group. The blood test flagged disease progression earlier than imaging, by roughly two months in the cases that drew attention online. A blood test outperformed medical imaging at predicting how cancer patients would respond to treatment. In a peer-reviewed study , BillionToOne's Northstar Response was a stronger predictor of survival than standard-of-care imaging for patients with advanced solid tumors on immunotherapy. The work covered 142 patients across 12 tumor types. What the test does Northstar Response reads tumor-specific signals in a blood draw. It uses single-molecule sequencing and a counting method the company calls Quantitative Counting Template to measure tiny changes in tumor DNA, tracking whether a treatment is working without waiting for a scan. In the study, run with the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, the blood test flagged progression earlier than imaging, by roughly two months in the cases investor Seth Bannon highlighted . Why earlier matters Imaging has guided oncology for decades, but a scan can only show change after a tumor has grown or shrunk enough to see. A blood test that catches the signal sooner could let doctors switch a failing immunotherapy weeks earlier, be