TrueMRD Monitoring Test for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer  

The TrueMRD for MIBC test provides clinicians and patients with whole-genome insights for minimal residual disease detection of muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

How It Works How To Order
Cancer area illustration

What is the TrueMRD Monitoring Test for MIBC?

Minimal residual disease (MRD) refers to the presence of residual cancer that remains undetectable by conventional imaging following treatment. MRD can be detected by measuring circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) which are fragments of DNA released by cancer cells into the bloodstream. 

The TrueMRD for MIBC test is a whole-genome, tumor-informed test that detects ctDNA in a patient’s blood after bladder cancer treatment. The test is for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (cT2-cT4, N0-N2) who have had definitive therapy, with no current evidence of active disease. 

Inherited Risk Assessment
Screening and Risk Assessment
Diagnosis
Prognosis
Treatment Guidance
Recurrence Monitoring

the bladder cancer landscape

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer is a high-risk disease1

>84K

New bladder cancer cases are projected in the US in 20262

~25%

Bladder cancer cases estimated to be MIBC3

~50%

Patients with MIBC develop metastatic recurrence within 2-3 years after curative-intent therapy4

glowing divider

Early detection of recurrence in MIBC is challenging

Effective monitoring is needed due to the high risk of recurrence in MIBC.

Conventional imaging often identifies recurrence when the tumor burden is already large.

Early detection of microscopic disease may identify recurrence sooner and help inform care decisions.

Whole genome every step of the way

How the TrueMRD for MIBC test works

The TrueMRD for MIBC test leverages whole-genome sequencing to create a personalized signature that is unique to each patient’s cancer. It then uses this signature to look for recurrence after definitive therapy.  

truemrd for mibc test how the test works specimen collection

Specimen collection

1. FFPE tissue collection: Obtained from archived tissue from the transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT).

2. Blood sample collection: Collected 2-4 weeks after definitive therapy for ctDNA analysis and personal fingerprint generation.

truemrd testing platform step 2 signature

Signature generation

Using whole-genome sequencing (WGS), the tumor DNA from the archived tissue is compared with normal germline DNA from healthy cells found in the blood (buffy coat). 

From this analysis, a unique signature is created for each patient, the TrueMRD Personalized Signature, which is like a “genome-wide molecular fingerprint”. 

This personal signature becomes the reference for all future monitoring.  

truemrd for mibc test how the test works baseline result

Initial baseline result

Plasma from the initial blood sample collected 2-4 weeks after definitive therapy is used for ctDNA analysis and a TrueMRD Baseline Result is obtained.  

Results are reported as:

  • Positive (+) MRD detected
  • Negative (-) MRD not detected 
truemrd for mibc test how the test works subsequent monitoring

Subsequent monitoring 

Each subsequent TrueMRD test uses whole-genome sequencing to detect the patient’s TrueMRD Personalized Signature, indicating whether ctDNA is detectable.

The image reflects the suggested monitoring schedule after definitive therapy for MIBC.

TrueMRD for MIBC sample reports

MRD Negative (-) result sample report

For patients when minimal residual disease (MRD) was not detected.

Download Sample Report

MRD Positive (+) result sample report

For patients when minimal residual disease was detected.  

Download Sample Report

Surveillance for muscle-invasive bladder cancer relies heavily on imaging right now, which has real limitations in detecting early recurrence. A whole-genome MRD test that can help identify disease recurrence, often months before imaging, gives clinicians a powerful new tool. The expanding clinical evidence behind Veracyte’s MRD platform is compelling, and Medicare coverage brings this test to patients at a pivotal time when the landscape of treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer is rapidly changing with the development of more effective systemic therapies and expanding bladder-sparing approaches.”5

Matthew Galsky, M.D. Professor of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Deputy Director, Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center
Smiling provider in white coat and stethoscope consults older patient in a warm, bright office.

TrueMRD for MIBC detects bladder cancer recurrence months earlier than imaging

A prospective study published in European Urology evaluated over 900 blood and tissue samples from 112 patients with MIBC treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy. In this study, the TrueMRD MIBC Test detected disease recurrence a median of 131 days earlier than imaging.4

Read The Study

How to order the TrueMRD for MIBC test

Documents required

Email and fax orders

Download and complete the requisition form, then submit your order by email or fax.

Email

+1-650-763-4192

Need help?

If you have questions about the ordering process, we’re here to help. Contact us today

References

    1. Ripoll, J.et al.BMC Cancer 21, 676, (2021). 10.1186/s12885-021-08418-y
    2. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2026/2026-cancer-facts-and-figures.pdf
    3. Source Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network. Bladder cancer types, stages, and grades. Updated October 21, 2025. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://bcan.org/facing-bladder-cancer/bladder-cancer-types-stages-grades/
    4. Nordentoft I, et al. Eur Urol. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2024.05.014
    5. Company data on file as of May 5, 2026.

Disclaimers

TrueMRD for MIBC testing is available in the United States as a laboratory developed test (LDT) service and has not been cleared or approved by the FDA.

Talk to your doctor about whether Veracyte tests might be right for you.