Stool DNA Test for Colon Cancer Shows 88% Sensitivity

A prospective, multi-center study of stool DNA testing for colon cancer has found that an enhanced marker panel, using a refined DNA capture and stabilization process, detected 88% of cancers with a specificity of 82%.

The study evaluated 162 patients, 40 individuals with cancer and 122 individuals with normal colonoscopies. The results showed equal detection across all stages of cancer, regardless of the cancer's location in the colon. These findings were published in the January 2007 issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

"This study confirms that stool-based DNA technologies can achieve high sensitivities for detecting colorectal cancer,” said Steven Itzkowitz, M.D., principal investigator and professor and associate director of gastroenterology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine (New York, NY, USA). "For those individuals who are unwilling or unable to undergo colonoscopy, stool DNA testing offers a valuable and patient-friendly screening option. These results also underscore that as new markers and technologies are developed and validated, they can readily be incorporated into existing stool DNA tests to improve cancer detection and, ultimately, patient outcomes.”

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and more than half of the more than 80 million people over the age of 50 have never been screened. Since traditional screening approaches are not reducing these figures, new screening technologies, such as stool DNA testing, are warranted. The stool DNA test used in the study was developed by Exact Sciences Corp. (Marlborough, MA, USA), using applied genomics.

"This publication is further validation that stool DNA technology offers a powerful tool for physicians and patients in detecting colorectal cancer,” noted Don Hardison, president and CEO of Exact Sciences. "Without new, noninvasive approaches such as stool DNA testing, it will be difficult to increase current colorectal screening and decrease mortality rates, a major goal for our company as well as a mandate of the American Cancer Society.”



Related Links:
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Exact Sciences