NeoGenomics RaDaR ST assay wins expanded CMS coverage for immunotherapy
- NeoGenomics RaDaR ST assay gains expanded CMS MolDX coverage for immunotherapy monitoring in late-stage solid tumors
- This is the third Medicare-covered indication, adding to HPV-negative head and neck and HR+/HER2-negative breast cancer uses
- Two additional RaDaR ST submissions are pending with MolDX for further coverage expansion
- Immunotherapy accounts for 55% of lung cancer and 70% of melanoma treated cases, highlighting significant addressable market

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
NeoGenomics, Inc. (NASDAQ: NEO) announced that its RaDaR ST molecular residual disease (MRD) assay has received expanded coverage from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Molecular Diagnostic Services Program (MolDX). The update includes immunotherapy monitoring for patients with late-stage solid tumors.
The expanded Medicare coverage specifically permits monitoring of response to immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with late-stage solid tumors. This development extends the utility of RaDaR ST across the cancer care continuum.
Coverage Expansion Details
This approval marks the third Medicare-covered indication for the RaDaR ST assay. The existing covered indications include:
- HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
- A subset of hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative breast cancer
NeoGenomics currently has two additional RaDaR ST submissions pending with MolDX.
Clinical Context and Utility
Immunotherapy is now standard treatment across numerous common solid tumors, including lung cancer, melanoma, bladder cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. Imaging alone often cannot reliably distinguish true response from early treatment-related inflammatory changes, complicating decisions about whether to continue, adjust, or stop therapy.
Longitudinal molecular testing may help identify early signs of progression that might otherwise be missed and clarify response in the context of pseudoprogression. In lung cancer and melanoma alone, immunotherapy accounts for an estimated 55% and 70% of treated cases, respectively.
Evidence for RaDaR ST in the immunotherapy setting has been demonstrated across multiple studies, including melanoma, head and neck, breast, and bladder cancers. In advanced head and neck cancer treated with immune checkpoint blockade, ctDNA dynamics tracked with survival and response to treatment.
Technology Overview
RaDaR ST employs a tumor-informed approach, analyzing up to 48 patient-specific variants identified through whole-exome sequencing to detect ctDNA at a very low variant allele fraction (VAF). It supports three core clinical uses:
- Recurrence-risk assessment after curative-intent surgery
- Recurrence monitoring during surveillance
- Longitudinal treatment-response monitoring during systemic therapy
Across these settings, RaDaR ST has demonstrated strong analytical and clinical performance in numerous published studies spanning multiple solid tumor types with detection as low as 1ppm.
What the Numbers Show
The expansion to a third distinct indication demonstrates broadening regulatory acceptance of the RaDaR ST platform within the Medicare framework. With two further submissions pending, the company is actively pursuing additional coverage expansions beyond the current three approved use cases. CEO Tony Zook described the coverage determination as a cornerstone of the RaDaR ST launch, noting that personalized MRD testing delivers longitudinal molecular insights that complement traditional assessment methods.
How might the pending MolDX submissions for RaDaR ST impact NeoGenomics' revenue projections and market share in the MRD testing sector?
Will this expanded CMS coverage accelerate the adoption of ctDNA-based monitoring as a standard of care for immunotherapy patients beyond Medicare beneficiaries?
What are the potential competitive implications for other liquid biopsy companies if RaDaR ST becomes the preferred tool for distinguishing pseudoprogression from true progression?































