ASCO Study Abstract Shows Cizzle Bio's CIZ1B Biomarker Test for Lung Cancer Could Save $518M in Annual Medicare Costs
CHICAGO, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cizzle Bio, Inc. announced today the online publication of a new study abstract in conjunction with the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, projecting that its proprietary CIZ1B biomarker blood test for early-stage lung cancer could save the U.S. Medicare program up to $518 million annually. Co-authored by healthcare economist Jennifer Hinkel, M.Sc., the study models how integrating CIZ1B into lung cancer screening for high-risk Medicare populations could lower healthcare costs, reduce unnecessary procedures, and increase early-stage lung cancer detection.
Breakthrough Blood Test Expands Access and Reduces Costs
The CIZ1B biomarker test was developed from more than 30 years of research into the CIZ1 gene at the University of York, identifying the CIZ1B protein variant and its strong association with early-stage lung cancer. With 95% sensitivity for Stage I detection and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) at 96%, the test can detect lung cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. Cizzle Bio is preparing for the commercial launch of CIZ1B in U.S. clinical environments in the coming months.
"Our economic models project that the CIZ1B test has the potential to be not only a clinical advance but a significant economic win for the healthcare system when implemented as part of lung cancer screening in high-risk, eligible Medicare populations," said Hinkel, a researcher in health economics and oncology outcomes. "By enabling earlier diagnoses and early intervention with less costly treatment, CIZ1B has the potential to make lung cancer screening more accurate, accessible, and sustainable, especially for Medicare patients."
Improves Lung Cancer Screening with Economic Impact
While low-dose CT (LDCT) is a clinically recommended method for lung cancer screening in high-risk individuals (such as those with a significant smoking history), only 4% to 6% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries undergo the procedure. The new study demonstrates that incorporating the CIZ1B biomarker blood test into lung cancer screening protocols could significantly reduce both the financial and clinical burdens currently associated with using LDCT alone.
The model hypothesized that introduction of a blood-based biomarker test such as CIZ1B would enable a 15% increase in lung cancer screening participation among Medicare-eligible high-risk individuals by reducing access barriers associated with LDCT screening including travel, availability, and radiation exposure concerns. The study modeled that this expanded access could identify many more lung cancer cases at an earlier stage, especially in underserved populations, than screening with LDCT alone at the current participation rates.
"Greater participation in screening programs is critical to shifting lung cancer diagnoses to earlier, more treatable stages," added Hinkel. "We have been challenged to move the needle on screening rates solely through education of clinicians and patients, and we know that barriers such as travel time to reach a CT scan appointment, or fear of extra radiation exposure and the risk of a biopsy procedure, can discourage patients from participating—even when there is so much benefit to catching cancer early. Because it is a simple blood test, CIZ1B testing can reach more patients where they are. Implementing cancer screening through a blood test like this can drive a real change toward better outcomes and lower costs in Medicare patients, which is very meaningful."
As a significant component of saving costs, the model projects that CIZ1B biomarker testing can reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies by improving screening specificity, or reducing false positives. LDCT often detects nodules that are visually suspicious, requiring a follow-up biopsy procedure, even though 96% of these procedures are on nodules that are found to be non-cancerous. Avoiding these invasive procedures not only reduces direct healthcare costs but also minimizes patient anxiety and complications.
"This publication is a significant milestone for Cizzle Bio," said Bill Behnke, founder and chief executive officer of Cizzle Bio. "Our mission is to make early lung cancer detection easier, more accurate, and more widely accessible. These findings strengthen the case for CIZ1B as a cornerstone of the future lung cancer screening paradigm."
The abstract is available online in conjunction with the ASCO 2025 Annual Meeting and can be accessed via www.asco.org/abstracts.
About Cizzle Bio, Inc.
Cizzle Bio is a Texas-based biotechnology company dedicated to revolutionizing cancer diagnostics by pioneering biomarker-based blood tests, starting with early detection of lung and gastric cancer. Our goal is to empower patients, equip clinicians, and improve outcomes through innovation, compassion, and life-saving solutions. We hold exclusive licensing rights for our groundbreaking CIZ1B biomarker test in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean and a worldwide exclusive license for our DEX-G2 biomarker gastric cancer test. Cizzle Bio is commercializing both tests for U.S. clinical environments, with CIZ1B set to launch in the coming months and DEX-G2 following later this year.
www.cizzlebio.com
Media Contact:
Yolanda Heiberger
yolanda@cizzlebio.com
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