Revolutionizing Testicular Cancer Care: The Advent of mRNA Diagnostics

UC San Diego Health has begun offering an mRNA blood test for testicular cancer that fills a longstanding diagnostic gap by providing a validated molecular signal to guide clinical decision-making.

UC San Diego Health states the assay measures the biomarker microRNA-371a-3p, with reported validation showing roughly 90% accuracy in detecting active testicular germ cell tumor.

Adopting the assay could reduce reliance on routine CT staging and surveillance by allowing clinicians to triage low-probability cases away from immediate cross-sectional scans. Expected downstream benefits include lower cumulative radiation exposure, fewer incidental findings that prompt follow-up cascades, and more streamlined staging workflows. This represents an operational adjunct, not a universal replacement for imaging; the evidence supports using a high-probability negative test to lower imaging demand in defined diagnostic and surveillance scenarios.

In surveillance pathways, the assay fits into timeline-based follow-up: a negative result can justify lengthening CT intervals for low-risk patients, while a positive result should trigger prompt imaging or clinic evaluation. Successful implementation requires explicit lab-ordering workflows, rapid turnaround, and reflex imaging triggers for actionable positives. These operational elements preserve safety while delivering patient-centered benefits—reduced radiation and fewer visits.

From a health-economics and safety perspective, lower CT use should reduce imaging costs and expenses from incidental findings and cumulative radiation risk, but those savings must be weighed against test pricing, laboratory implementation, and certification costs. Real-world cost-effectiveness studies are needed; early adopters should monitor clinical outcomes and economic metrics during phased roll-out.