Galleri cancer screening blood test launched in Brazil

The Galleri molecular test, a liquid biopsy designed to screen for more than 50 types of cancer, has arrived in Brazil. Developed by the American company Grail, the test is marketed in the country by Genesis Genomics, a joint venture between Einstein Hospital Israelita and Grupo Fleury.

The procedure costs R$ 6,990 and requires a medical request. It is not covered by health insurance plans. While blood collection can be performed at Einstein or Fleury units, samples are sent to laboratories in the United States for processing, with results typically available in approximately one month.

As a liquid biopsy, the test analyzes circulating cell-free DNA fragments in the blood, specifically looking for methylation patterns—chemical alterations that help distinguish cancer cell DNA from healthy DNA. The test is primarily intended for adults aged 50 or older who are asymptomatic, as well as individuals with a family history of cancer. It is not recommended for pregnant women or patients currently undergoing active cancer treatment. The Galleri test is intended to complement existing screening methods, such as mammographies and colonoscopies, rather than replace them, particularly for cancers that lack routine screening protocols, such as pancreatic, liver, and ovarian cancers.