Epigenomics says colon-cancer marker reduces false positives

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., July 5 - Epigenomics AG said new clinical data on its colorectal cancer early detection marker in blood indicate that, combined with a second proprietary marker, the test is also able to detect most polyps without many false positive results.

The study was based on 49 blood-plasma samples from patients with colon polyps and 22 patients without polyps.

Researchers studied two proprietary Epigenomics markers alone and in combination: Septin9, a marker already presented by Epigenomics earlier this year and ALX4, a previously undisclosed marker identified by Epigenomics.

The combination of the two markers detected clinically relevant polyps with very high sensitivity, according to a news release.

Detection rate for polyps larger than 1 cm was 67% (12 out of 18 plasma samples from patients with polyps).

Sensitivity for large dysplastic polyps (adenomas greater than 1 cm) was 100% and for adenomas with intraepithelial neoplasia, i.e. a substantial likelihood of developing invasive cancer, was 80%.

The specificity of the combination as tested in asymptomatic patients over 50 years of age was 91%.

Epigenomics is a molecular diagnostic company located in Berlin.

© 2015 Prospect News.
All content on this website is protected by copyright law in the U.S. and elsewhere. For the use of the person downloading only.
Redistribution and copying are prohibited by law without written permission in advance from Prospect News.
Redistribution or copying includes e-mailing, printing multiple copies or any other form of reproduction.