Natera Presents Signatera MRD Data at ASCO GU Showcasing Potential Across GU Cancers

Data reinforces Signatera's role in bladder preservation strategies and refining molecular residual disease detection

Feb. 27, 2026 at 3:05pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Natera, Inc. announced it will present new data on its Signatera molecular residual disease (MRD) test in genitourinary malignancies at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU). The data reinforces Signatera's performance in treatment response monitoring across diverse neoadjuvant regimens in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), supporting response-adaptive bladder preservation strategies and refining MRD detection with plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and urinary tumor DNA (utDNA).

Why it matters

As treatment options expand in perioperative and bladder preservation settings, tools that can help determine who requires additional therapy and who may safely avoid it are crucial. The Signatera data presented at ASCO GU demonstrates strong correlations between MRD status and outcomes, suggesting the potential to inform these critical treatment decisions.

The details

Across four oral presentations, the data highlighted Signatera's performance in MIBC. The INDIBLADE and RETAIN trials showed that Signatera-negativity after neoadjuvant therapy was associated with high bladder-intact event-free survival and metastasis-free survival, respectively, even with the bladder preserved. The NIAGARA phase 3 study presented the first-ever data on the combination of utDNA and ctDNA, which provided complementary risk stratification and identification of residual disease.

  • The INDIBLADE findings will be published today in Nature Medicine.
  • The ASCO GU symposium is taking place from February 26-28, 2026.

The players

Natera, Inc.

A global leader in cell-free DNA and precision medicine, dedicated to oncology, women's health, and organ health.

Michiel van der Heijden, M.D., Ph.D.

Principal investigator of the INDIBLADE trial and presenting author of the NIAGARA study.

Minetta Liu, M.D.

Chief medical officer of oncology and early cancer detection at Natera.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As treatment options expand in perioperative and bladder preservation settings, we need tools that help us determine who truly requires additional therapy and who may safely avoid it. The data presented at ASCO GU demonstrate that MRD assessment with Signatera has strong correlations with outcomes and the potential to inform these critical treatment decisions.”

— Michiel van der Heijden, M.D., Ph.D., Netherlands Cancer Institute, principal investigator of INDIBLADE and presenting author of the NIAGARA study

“Following our milestone PMA submission to the FDA based on IMvigor011, these compelling data presentations reflect our commitment to transforming care across the spectrum of genitourinary malignancies. The new data suggests a particularly important opportunity for Signatera to optimize clinical decisions around bladder preservation, a major opening to improve patient quality of life.”

— Minetta Liu, M.D., chief medical officer of oncology and early cancer detection at Natera

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.