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Stool DNA assay detected colorectal cancer, advanced adenoma with high sensitivity
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A stool DNA assay system, comprising a DNA stabilization buffer with specimen collection, high analytical sensitivity, and a panel of “broadly informative markers” can achieve high detection rates of both colorectal cancer and advanced adenoma.
Researchers collected stool samples with a stabilization buffer from 74 patients with colorectal cancer, 27 patients with an adenoma >1 cm and 100 healthy participants.
They then sensitively quantified human DNA concentration, KRAS and APC mutation scores and BMP3 methylation by real-time Alu polymerase chain reaction, digital melt curve assay, and real-time methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction.
Hongzhi Zou, MD, PhD, an assistant professor at Mayo Clinic who presented the results, said technical improvements employed in their study have substantially improved sensitivity over first generation stool DNA assays.
“Unlike fecal occult blood tests and other earlier stool tests, our stool DNA assay approach achieves the requiste analytical sensitivity to detect adenomas,” he said.
The four-marker panel detected more neoplasms than any individual marker alone. At 90% specificity, the panel detected 81% colorectal cancers and 63% adenomas >1 cm. At 85% specificity, detection rates increased to 91% for cancers and 78% for adenomas.
Zou said his team will continue research to fine-tune and further validate the assay, and he expects next generation stool DNA tests to be ready for clinical use in two to four years. – by Jason Harris
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