Two multitarget stool tests currently in development have shown promising results for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in average-risk individuals. The first test, a multitarget stool RNA test (mt-sRNA; Colosense, Geneoscopy), was compared to colonoscopy for detecting advanced adenomas and CRC in individuals aged 45 and older. The second test, a next-generation multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA; Cologuard, Exact Sciences), was evaluated alongside a fecal hemoglobin assay for CRC screening in adults aged 40 and older.
Key Findings:
- The mt-sRNA test demonstrated 100% sensitivity for early-stage I cancers and had an overall sensitivity of 45% for advanced adenomas. When advanced adenomas were ≥ 2 cm, sensitivity increased to 51%.
- The mt-sRNA test outperformed the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in terms of sensitivity for CRC (94% vs 77%) and advanced adenomas (45% vs 29%).
- Dr. David Lieberman highlighted the significance of the study, noting that it’s the first large study to include the 45- to 49-year-old population, a group now recommended for screening. The test showed a sensitivity of 100% for detecting CRC and 44% for advanced adenomas in this age bracket.
- The consistent performance of the mt-sRNA test across all recommended age groups for screening was emphasized as a key finding.