MSK-ACCESS® MSK-ACCESS® stands for Analysis of Circulating cfDNA to Evaluate Somatic Status

The MSK-ACCESS® assay is a comprehensive liquid biopsy test that offers noninvasive cancer genomic profiling and disease monitoring. It involves the deep sequencing of 129 key cancer-associated genes selected from MSK’s solid tumor genomic-profiling assay, MSK-IMPACT®. MSK-ACCESS® is designed to detect genetic alterations in cfDNA (cell-free DNA) specimens, such as blood and other body fluids

What Is cfDNA? CfDNA is released from cells throughout the body, including cancer cells, and is found in blood plasma as well as other body fluids, such as saliva and urine. In people with cancer, cfDNA may contain circulating DNA shed from dying cancer cells, which can be detected by highly sensitive sequencing methods. Using MSK-ACCESS®, molecular diagnosticians can analyze cfDNA through a simple blood draw, providing a unique and noninvasive way to profile the genomic characteristics of the underlying tumor and guide treatment decisions.

The Difference Between MSK-IMPACT® and MSK-ACCESS®: The letters in MSK-IMPACT® represent its full name of Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets. MSK-IMPACT® is a targeted tumor-sequencing test available to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) patients. It can detect mutations and other critical changes in the genes of both rare and common cancers. MSK-ACCESS® allows for deeper sequencing coverage and higher sensitivity to detect mutations.