MADISON, N.J., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A new blood test that identifies changes in DNA associated with colorectal cancer is now available in the U.S. through Quest Diagnostics Incorporated , the world's leading cancer diagnostics company. The test is designed to aid the detection of colorectal cancer, the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
"Early detection rates are dismally low, largely because many patients find existing tests and procedures invasive or unpleasant," said Jon R. Cohen, M.D. senior vice president and chief medical officer, Quest Diagnostics. "Our ColoVantage(TM) test, which is based on Septin9, has yet to be clinically validated as a screening test. Rather, it may promote further evaluation in patients who have resisted testing in the past or as an adjunct to existing procedures."
Epigenomics has demonstrated in more than a half dozen peer-reviewed studies involving approximately 3,000 specimens of patients with diagnosed colorectal cancer and of healthy control subjects that methylated Septin9 in blood plasma indicates an increased likelihood of colorectal cancer. Epigenomics is sponsoring a multi-center clinical study named PRESEPT in collaboration with Quest Diagnostics and other organizations to evaluate the Septin9 biomarker's performance for colorectal cancer screening in screening-guideline-eligible individuals who have not been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Epigenomics expects to conclude the PRESEPT trial early this year with the release of preliminary data, and publish the detailed findings later in 2010.
About Colorectal Cancer Testing and Procedures
Colorectal cancer, which refers to cancer of the colon and rectum, is a major source of cancer death in the U.S. and worldwide. An estimated 106,000 new cases were diagnosed and 50,000 deaths from the disease occurred in the U.S. in 2009. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should be screened by one of several established tests. People with certain risk factors, such as a family history, may be indicated for earlier or more frequent testing. Such methods include colonoscopy, the screening gold standard, once every ten years, as well as flexible sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy and double-contrast barium enema every five years or FOBTs, including FITs, annually. Any positive test result of any non-colonoscopy methods should be followed up by colonoscopy.( )
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
