Early detection is a key to better outcomes for colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.
According to 2 recent studies, a new investigational colorectal cancer screening test is highly sensitive and more accurate at detecting adenomas and early-stage cancer compared with other noninvasive tests.
One study, a large-scale, blinded study to be published in the February issue of Gastroenterology, shows that a new multimarker stool DNA test developed in collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Exact Sciences Inc. of Madison, WI, is highly accurate at detecting precancerous polyps and early-stage colorectal cancer. Among nearly 400 cases, the stool DNA test detected 87% of curable-stage colorectal cancer, and detection sensitivity was not affected by tumor location or stage.
The second study, to be published in the March issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, shows that the stool DNA test is significantly more accurate in identifying patients with large precancerous polyps or colorectal cancer than a new plasma test for methylated Septin 9 (SEPT9), while presenting fewer false-positive results.
Study highlights include:
- More precancerous polyps were detected by the stool DNA test (82%) compared with the SEPT9 (14%)
- Stool DNA detected curable-stage cancer (stage I, II, or III) 91% of the time, compared with 50% with SEPT9
- The rate of false-positives with SEPT9 was nearly 4 times that of stool DNA (27% vs 7%)
Lead author David Ahlquist, MD, of Mayo Clinic, principal investigator of both studies says, “Our findings in these studies underscore the great potential of the stool DNA test as a colorectal cancer screening tool. Along with its high accuracy, this test approach could improve participation rates due to its patient-friendly features. The test is noninvasive; requires no bowel preparation, medication restriction, or diet change; and can be performed on mailed-in samples without the need, expense, or inconvenience of a health care visit.”
Source: Mayo Clinic.