VolitionRx (NYSE-A:VNRX) Limited has announced the results of two large clinical studies, which show that the company's flagship Nu.Q assays, when used in conjunction with the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), can detect colorectal cancer and all high-risk advanced adenomas in symptomatic patients, and thereby reduce unnecessary colonoscopies.
The Austin, Texas-based epigenetics company said the studies also demonstrated that the company's Nu.Q assays can improve the detection of high-risk adenomas in asymptomatic patients.
In a statement, principal investigator Professor Han-Mo Chiu from the National Taiwan University, said: "We are enormously encouraged by the findings of these two studies. Not only do they show that using Nu.Q assays in combination with FIT can potentially reduce unnecessary colonoscopies by up to 28% in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, the studies also show that this dual approach could be used more widely to improve the effectiveness of FIT-based screening programs targeting asymptomatic patients.”
“We look forward to presenting our findings to colleagues at ASCO GI 2022," he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Marielle Herzog, who is the Research and Development Director at Volition, pointed out that early diagnosis is key to improving outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer, and cancer screening programs are critical.
“The results of our studies, using Volition's Nu.Q assays in conjunction with FIT, are incredibly encouraging, not only in reducing unnecessary colonoscopies but also in detecting high-risk adenomas, both proximal and distal, which FIT, when used alone can miss,” added Dr Marielle Herzog. “We are excited about the next stage, facilitating an independent, prospective validation study later this year."
The findings from the studies carried out by Volition and the National Taiwan University Hospital will be presented later this week at the 2022 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, with 1.9 million new cases in 2020, and it accounts for over 9% of all cancer-related deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The most recommended colorectal cancer screening method is the FIT, followed up with colonoscopy, which is an invasive visual examination. However, approximately 60% of FITs provide false-positive results, leading to unnecessary and costly colonoscopies, according to studies.
Here are the two posters to be presented at the ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium:
Circulating nucleosomes levels improve FIT performance for detecting high-risk colorectal neoplasms in a symptomatic population.
Circulating nucleosomes for detection of colorectal cancer and high-risk advanced adenomas.
Volition applies its Nucleosomics platform to develop simple, cost-effective blood tests to help diagnose and monitor a range of life-altering diseases including some cancers and diseases associated with NETosis such as sepsis and coronavirus (COVID-19).
The tests are based on the science of Nucleosomics, which is the practice of identifying and measuring nucleosomes in the bloodstream or other bodily fluid - an indication that disease is present.
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
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