Project description:ObjectivesTo characterize early adoption of a novel multitarget stool DNA (MT-sDNA) screening test for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and to test the hypothesis that adoption differs by demographic characteristics and prior CRC screening behavior and proceeds predictably over time.Patients and methodsWe used the Rochester Epidemiology Project research infrastructure to assess the use of the MT-sDNA screening test in adults aged 50 to 75 years living in Olmsted County, Minnesota, in 2014 and identified 27,147 individuals eligible or due for screening colonoscopy from November 1, 2014, through November 30, 2015. We used electronic Current Procedure Terminology and Health Care Common Procedure codes to evaluate early adoption of the MT-sDNA screening test in this population and to test whether early adoption varies by age, sex, race, and prior CRC screening behavior.ResultsOverall, 2193 (8.1%) and 974 (3.6%) individuals were screened by colonoscopy and MT-sDNA, respectively. Age, sex, race, and prior CRC screening behavior were significantly and independently associated with MT-sDNA screening use compared with colonoscopy use after adjustment for all other variables (P<.05 for all). The rates of adoption of MT-sDNA screening increased over time and were highest in those aged 50 to 54 years, women, whites, and those who had a history of screening. The use of the MT-sDNA screening test varied predictably by insurance coverage. The rates of colonoscopy decreased over time, whereas overall CRC screening rates remained steady.ConclusionThe results of the present study are generally consistent with predictions derived from prior research and the diffusion of innovation framework, pointing to increasing use of the new screening test over time and early adoption by younger patients, women, whites, and those with prior CRC screening.
Project description:IntroductionWe set out to evaluate the performance of a multitarget stool DNA (MT-sDNA) in an average-risk colonoscopy-controlled colorectal cancer (CRC) screening population. MT-sDNA stool test results were evaluated against fecal immunochemical test (FIT) results for the detection of different lesions, including molecularly defined high-risk adenomas and several other tumor characteristics.MethodsWhole stool samples (n = 1,047) were prospectively collected and subjected to an MT-sDNA test, which tests for KRAS mutations, NDRG4 and BMP3 promoter methylation, and hemoglobin. Results for detecting CRC (n = 7), advanced precancerous lesions (advanced adenoma [AA] and advanced serrated polyps; n = 119), and non-AAs (n = 191) were compared with those of FIT alone (thresholds of 50, 75, and 100 hemoglobin/mL). AAs with high risk of progression were defined by the presence of specific DNA copy number events as measured by low-pass whole genome sequencing.ResultsThe MT-sDNA test was more sensitive than FIT alone in detecting advanced precancerous lesions (46% (55/119) vs 27% (32/119), respectively, P < 0.001). Specificities among individuals with nonadvanced or negative findings (controls) were 89% (791/888) and 93% (828/888) for MT-sDNA and FIT testing, respectively. A positive MT-sDNA test was associated with multiple lesions (P = 0.005), larger lesions (P = 0.03), and lesions with tubulovillous architecture (P = 0.04). The sensitivity of the MT-sDNA test or FIT in detecting individuals with high-risk AAs (n = 19) from individuals with low-risk AAs (n = 52) was not significantly different.DiscussionIn an average-risk screening population, the MT-sDNA test has an increased sensitivity for detecting advanced precancerous lesions compared with FIT alone. AAs with a high risk of progression were not detected with significantly higher sensitivity by MT-sDNA or FIT.
Project description:BackgroundIn 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began covering a multitarget stool DNA (mtSDNA) test for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening of Medicare beneficiaries. In this study, we evaluated whether mtSDNA testing is a cost-effective alternative to other CRC screening strategies reimbursed by CMS, and if not, under what conditions it could be.MethodsWe use three independently-developed microsimulation models to simulate a cohort of previously unscreened US 65-year-olds who are screened with triennial mtSDNA testing, or one of six other reimbursed screening strategies. Main outcome measures are discounted life-years gained (LYG) and lifetime costs (CMS perspective), threshold reimbursement rates, and threshold adherence rates. Outcomes are expressed as the median and range across models.ResultsCompared to no screening, triennial mtSDNA screening resulted in 82 (range: 79-88) LYG per 1,000 simulated individuals. This was more than for five-yearly sigmoidoscopy (80 (range: 71-89) LYG), but fewer than for every other simulated strategy. At its 2017 reimbursement rate of $512, mtSDNA was the most costly strategy, and even if adherence were 30% higher than with other strategies, it would not be a cost-effective alternative. At a substantially reduced reimbursement rate ($6-18), two models found that triennial mtSDNA testing was an efficient and potentially cost-effective screening option.ConclusionsCompared to no screening, triennial mtSDNA screening reduces CRC incidence and mortality at acceptable costs. However, compared to nearly all other CRC screening strategies reimbursed by CMS it is less effective and considerably more costly, making it an inefficient screening option.
Project description:Background and aimsMultitarget stool DNA (MT-sDNA) testing is now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for average-risk colorectal cancer screening. Trials leading to its approval used blinded colonoscopy as the reference standard. In the postapproval screen setting, the clinical performance and impact of MT-sDNA testing on unblinded colonoscopy has not been described. We measured the impact that knowledge of a positive MT-sDNA test result has on colonoscopy yield and quality.MethodsThe unblinded group comprised all patients with positive MT-sDNA results on screening from September 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015 at a single tertiary center. Off-label test patients were excluded. The blinded group included all MT-sDNA-positive participants in a preapproval screening study from the same center. Detailed colonoscopy findings and withdrawal times were recorded.ResultsThere were 172 MT-sDNA-positive patients in the unblinded group and 72 in the blinded group. More total adenomatous/sessile serrated polyps (70% vs 53%, P = .013) and advanced neoplasms (28% vs 21%, P = .27) were detected in unblinded than in blinded groups. Median numbers of polyps detected were 2 (IQR, 1-4) and 1 (IQR, 0-2) in unblinded and blinded groups, respectively (P = .0007). Among polyps detected, flat or slightly raised lesions in the right side of the colon were proportionately more frequent with unblinded (40%) than with blinded examinations (9%) (P = .0017). Median withdrawal time was 19 minutes (IQR, 13-29) in the unblinded group compared with 13 minutes (IQR, 10-20) in the blinded group (P = .0001).ConclusionsKnowledge of a positive MT-sDNA result appears to have a beneficial impact on the diagnostic yield and quality of subsequent colonoscopy.
Project description:Background and aimsThe multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) assay is a noninvasive average-risk colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test. A new biomarker panel was developed for a next-generation test to improve specificity while maintaining/increasing sensitivity. We aimed first to establish an algorithm and cutoff for the next-generation mt-sDNA test and then to validate it using archived samples from the pivotal DeeP-C study (NCT01397747) of the first-generation test.MethodsAlgorithm development and cross-validation included 3011 samples from 2 specimen collection studies (NCT03821948 and NCT03789162). The algorithm and cutoff were locked before validation. Validation test set samples included 57 CRC, 583 advanced precancerous lesions (APLs), and 7022 samples negative for CRC or APLs from the DeeP-C study, which prospectively enrolled average-risk, asymptomatic adults aged 50-84 years before screening colonoscopy. Next-generation biomarkers included methylated DNA markers ceramide synthase 4 gene, leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 4 gene, serine/threonine-protein phosphatase 2A 56 kDa regulatory subunit gamma isoform gene, and zinc finger DHHC-type containing 1 gene (reference marker), and fecal hemoglobin. Primary validation end points were CRC sensitivity and specificity for the absence of advanced neoplasia. Secondary end points included APL sensitivity and specificity for non-neoplastic findings or negative colonoscopy.ResultsCross-validation and best-fit results from algorithm development closely matched, confirming algorithm reliability and reproducibility. For the test set, next-generation mt-sDNA test sensitivity was 93.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 83.0%-98.1%) for CRC and 48.4% (95% CI, 44.2%-52.5%) for APLs. Specificity was 88.5% (95% CI, 87.7%-89.2%) for the absence of advanced neoplasia and 90.4% (95% CI, 89.5%-91.2%) for the combination of non-neoplastic findings or negative colonoscopy.ConclusionBased on archived samples, the next-generation mt-sDNA test demonstrated promising CRC screening performance characteristics that will be further assessed in a prospective clinical validation study (BLUE-C; NCT04144738).
Project description:After 2 screen-setting studies showing high sensitivity for colorectal cancer and advanced precancerous lesions, multitarget stool DNA testing was endorsed by the US Preventative Services Task Force as a first-line colorectal cancer screening test. Uptake has increased exponentially since approval by the US Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Adherence to testing is approximately 70%. Patients with positive results have high diagnostic colonoscopy completion rates in single-center studies. The positive predictive value for colorectal neoplasia in postapproval studies is high. Next-generation test prototypes show promise to extend specificity gains while maintaining high sensitivity.
Project description:Current approved non-invasive screening methods for colorectal cancer (CRC) include FIT and DNA-FIT testing, but their efficacy for detecting precancerous lesions that are susceptible to progressing to CRC such as advanced adenomas (AA) remains limited, thus requiring further options to improve the detection of CRC lesions at earlier stages. One of these is host mRNA stool testing. The aims of the present study were to identify specific stool mRNA targets that can predict AA and to investigate their stability under a clinical-like setting. A panel of mRNA targets was tested on stool samples obtained from 102 patients including 78 CRC stage I-III and 24 AA as well as 32 healthy controls. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated to establish sensitivities and specificities for individual and combined targets. Stability experiments were performed on freshly obtained specimens. Six of the tested targets were found to be specifically increased in the stools of patients with CRC and three in the stools of both AA and CRC patients. After optimization for the choice of the 5 best markers for AA and CRC, ROC curve analysis revealed overall sensitivities of 75% and 89% for AA and CRC, respectively, for a ≥95% specificity, and up to 75% and 95% for AA and CRC, respectively, when combined with the FIT score. Targets were found to be stable in the stools up to 3 days at room temperature. In conclusion, these studies show that the detection of host mRNA in the stools is a valid approach for the screening of colorectal cancerous lesions at all stages and is applicable to a clinical-like setup.
Project description:Colorectal cancer screening dates to the discovery of precancerous adenomatous tissue. Screening modalities and guidelines directed at prevention and early detection have evolved and resulted in a significant decrease in the prevalence and mortality of colorectal cancer via direct visualization or using specific markers. Despite continued efforts and an overall reduction in deaths attributed to colorectal cancer over the last 25 years, colorectal cancer remains one of the most common causes of malignancy-associated deaths. In attempt to further reduce the prevalence of colorectal cancer and associated deaths, continued improvement in screening quality and adherence remains key. Noninvasive screening modalities are actively being explored. Identification of specific genetic alterations in the adenoma-cancer sequence allow for the study and development of noninvasive screening modalities beyond guaiac-based fecal occult blood testing which target specific alterations or a panel of alterations. The stool DNA test is the first noninvasive screening tool that targets both human hemoglobin and specific genetic alterations. In this review we discuss stool DNA and other commercially available noninvasive colorectal cancer screening modalities in addition to other targets which previously have been or are currently under study.