In a breakthrough from Germany’s Hahn-Schickard Institute, researchers have developed a new blood test for early-onset colorectal cancer that requires 20 times less blood than existing methods—without compromising diagnostic accuracy.
Using a novel combination of immunoprecipitation and multiplexed digital PCR, the test achieved 85% sensitivity and 90% specificity in a pilot study. Only 500 µL of plasma—less than a teaspoon—is needed. This opens the door to broader clinical use, especially among younger populations where CRC rates are rising.