Stool DNA test yields 94% sensitivity rate for colorectal cancer detection

A next-generation noninvasive stool DNA test has demonstrated high sensitivity rates in the detection of colorectal cancer and advanced precancerous polyps.

In this prospective study, the next-generation test was assessed on 20,176 asymptomatic adults 40 years of age or older who were undergoing screening colonoscopy. The novel test yielded better sensitivity rates than FIT tests for detecting colorectal cancer (93.9% sensitivity for colorectal cancer vs 67.3% for FIT) and advanced precancerous lesions (43.4% vs 23.3%). However, it presented lower specificity overall than the FIT test.

“Primary care providers drive colon cancer screening in this country. While our study establishes superior sensitivity of the next-gen DNA stool test to FIT, it does not indicate which screening modality is “best” for a particular patient. That should be discussed in a conversation between the clinician and the patient that explores various factors including disease risk and likelihood that the patient will complete the chosen test, among other factors,” explained study author Thomas F Imperiale (Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine, IN, USA).

It is hoped that this novel test will push forward colorectal cancer diagnostics, however, the study authors do note that… “despite the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening in reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer and related mortality, screening adherence was just under 60 percent in 2021….”

Speaking on which groups would benefit most from the next-generation stool test, Imperiale added: “The best candidates for this test are average risk persons aged 45 to 60–65 years old, who lack conditions that increase the chances of colorectal cancer, including a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, previous colorectal cancer or pre-cancerous polyps, and a strong family history of colorectal cancer.”