Head to Head Study Epi proColon and FIT

There is strong evidence supporting the use of FOBT in CRC screening, with the earliest randomized controlled trials demonstrating a reduction in CRC incidence and mortality from CRC screening. Despite the implementation and incremental improvements in gFOBT- and FIT-based tests, they continue to represent a small percentage of CRC screening and currently remain largely the province of large, integrated healthcare delivery systems. Reasons for the limited adoption of stool-based testing are complicated, but include lack of physician recommendation, patient preferences, and cultural barriers.

Availability of a blood-based test may overcome the adoption challenges presently facing stool-based CRC screening and facilitate better compliance with CRC screening guidelines. However, there are currently no FDA-approved in vitro diagnostic tests for detection of CRC in a blood sample. As such, a high through-put blood-based test with performance characteristics similar to fecal testing could satisfy this clinical need.

This study is designed to prospectively collect matched blood and stool specimens and clinical data from screening guideline-eligible subjects found to have invasive colorectal cancer (CRC) at colonoscopy, i.e. AJCC/UICC stages I, II, III, and IV, with collection of specimens and testing after colonoscopy and from screening guideline-eligible subjects with blood and stool specimens collected before colonoscopy. A completed subject will have a FIT result, an Epi proColon result, and a medical diagnosis/colonoscopy determined clinical status (CRC, non-CRC). Demographic and baseline covariates will be reported for each individual.

Inclusion criteria

Group A

• Willing and able to sign an informed consent and adhere to study requirements
• 50 - 84 years of age at blood and stool sampling
• Colonoscopic diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma
• Colonoscopy within 6 months before inclusion into study
• Blood and stool sampling a minimum of 10 days after colonoscopy and before resection surgery

Group B

• Willing and able to sign an informed consent and adhere to study requirements
• 50 - 84 years of age at blood and stool sampling
• Able to provide blood and stool sample prior to bowel prep and colonoscopy

Exclusion criteria

Group A

• Subject with curative biopsy during colonoscopy

Group A and B

• Previous personal history of CRC or previous colonocopy resulting in a recommendation to repeat colonoscopy at an interval less than 10 years
• Neoadjuvant treatment
• Familial risk for colorectal cancer
• History of inflammatory bowel disease
• Acute or chronic gastritis
• Current diagnosis of any other cancer
• Overt rectal bleeding or bleeding hemorrhoids
• Known infection with HIV, HBV, or HCV
• Subject concurrently receiving intravenous fluid at the time of the sample collection