Clinical Validation of a Simplified, Scrape-Free Collection Method for Multitarget Stool RNA Testing in Colorectal Cancer Screening (National Library of Medicine)

Most colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests, including fecal immunochemical (FIT) and multitarget stool DNA tests, require patients to scrape a stool sample at home before mailing it to a central lab. This requirement not only deters screening adherence but can also introduce risks of human error, environmental exposure, and transit-related issues. The multitarget stool RNA test (mt-sRNA), which comprises a FIT component and an RNA molecular component, is the only FDA-approved stool-based test for the detection of both CRC and advanced adenomas (AA) that does not require patients to perform an at-home FIT. Instead, trained technicians complete the FIT in the laboratory after the sample is received. This study evaluates the comparability of at-home and in-laboratory FIT in relation to mt-sRNA test performance.