New Colon Cancer Screening Test in the Works
Oct. 28, 2010 -- A new, consumer-friendly test for colon cancer, once approved, could persuade more Americans to undergo screening for the deadly cancer, according to researchers presenting their findings on the test's effectiveness at a cancer conference in Philadelphia.
At the same meeting, other researchers reported that they have new clues about how DNA characteristics can help predict colon cancer risk.
The research was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's special conference, Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy.
''One in every 17 of us will have colon cancer in our lifetime," says David Ahlquist, MD, professor of medicine and a consultant in gastroenterology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., who presented his findings on the new colon cancer screening test.
Although colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for men and women in the U.S., many adults don't undergo the screenings once they reach age 50 (or earlier for those with a family history), Ahlquist told a news conference.
Estimates of how many adults undergo screening vary, but Ahlquist says probably only 40% adhere to the screening schedule over time.
One screening test, the colonoscopy, in which a flexible, lighted tube with a video camera is inserted to examine the colon, requires dietary restriction and preparation of the colon. Patients must often take time off work and need transportation home from the procedure.
The new test, a next-generation stool test known as a DNA methylation test, detects tumor-specific alterations or methylations in the DNA in the cells shed into the stool from cancerous or precancerous lesions. The test can be done at home without dietary restrictions or bowel preparation.
At the meeting, Ahlquist presented the results of the first clinical evaluation study, which enrolled 1,100 patients."We were pleased by the results of this first clinical study," he says.
The test found 64% of precancerous tumors that were bigger than a centimeter (less than a half inch) and found 85% of cancers.
Ahlquist called the 85% figure ''very high" and adds: "It would be very hard to find a noninvasive approach that could get that range."
At the same meeting, other researchers reported that they have new clues about how DNA characteristics can help predict colon cancer risk.
The research was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's special conference, Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy.
Screening for Colon Cancer: Back Story
''One in every 17 of us will have colon cancer in our lifetime," says David Ahlquist, MD, professor of medicine and a consultant in gastroenterology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., who presented his findings on the new colon cancer screening test.
Although colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for men and women in the U.S., many adults don't undergo the screenings once they reach age 50 (or earlier for those with a family history), Ahlquist told a news conference.
Estimates of how many adults undergo screening vary, but Ahlquist says probably only 40% adhere to the screening schedule over time.
One screening test, the colonoscopy, in which a flexible, lighted tube with a video camera is inserted to examine the colon, requires dietary restriction and preparation of the colon. Patients must often take time off work and need transportation home from the procedure.
Catching Colon Cancer: The New Test
The new test, a next-generation stool test known as a DNA methylation test, detects tumor-specific alterations or methylations in the DNA in the cells shed into the stool from cancerous or precancerous lesions. The test can be done at home without dietary restrictions or bowel preparation.
At the meeting, Ahlquist presented the results of the first clinical evaluation study, which enrolled 1,100 patients."We were pleased by the results of this first clinical study," he says.
The test found 64% of precancerous tumors that were bigger than a centimeter (less than a half inch) and found 85% of cancers.
Ahlquist called the 85% figure ''very high" and adds: "It would be very hard to find a noninvasive approach that could get that range."