University of Chicago researchers developed a liquid biopsy method utilizing microbiome-derived cell-free RNA methylation patterns to predict colorectal cancer more accurately than current non-invasive tests. Separately, Exact Sciences' Oncodetect minimal residual disease (MRD) test for colorectal cancer received Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services coverage for serial use in stages II to IV, enabling earlier detection of recurrence. Personalis and Tempus AI extended their strategic partnership to include colorectal cancer monitoring with the ultra-sensitive NeXT Personal MRD assay, demonstrating precision in detecting low circulating tumor DNA concentrations.