Exact Sciences has presented the non-invasive Cologuard stool-based (sDNA) screening test study results at the 2010 Special Conference for Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy held by the American Association for Cancer Research in Philadelphia, PA.
The study, conducted in collaboration with Mayo Clinic and examined more than 1,100 patient samples, has detected 64% of colorectal pre-cancers and 85% of cancers.
The Cologuard sDNA test works by detecting specific altered DNA sequences in cells that are shed into the stool from pre-cancerous or cancerous polyps, Exact Sciences said.
Mayo Clinic Rochester lead investigator David Ahlquist said that this is the first study of an sDNA test to show such promising results in detecting colorectal pre-cancer and this test shows great promise as a potential addition to other available screening tools.
Cologuard is an investigational device and is not available for sale in the US. Exact Sciences, a molecular diagnostics company focused on colorectal cancer, plans to begin clinical trials next year.