Universal Diagnostics Announces Breakthrough in Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Universal Diagnostics have successfully demonstrated the use of microbiome signatures in plasma to aid in the early detection of colorectal cancer. Building on the company's previous findings, which revealed the potential of cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) methylation, mutation, and fragmentation patterns for early-stage colorectal cancer detection, this advancement marks a significant step forward in the fight against this deadly disease.

According to Christian Hense, COO at Universal DX, "While methylation, mutation, and fragmentation are still the core of early CRC detection, we think microbiome is an interesting addition to our proprietary technological platform Signal-X as we build out the platform." The company's proprietary platform, Signal-X, is being built to detect multiple types of cancer, with its first product, Signal-C, detecting early-stage colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps.

Dr. James Kinross, Consultant Surgeon at Imperial College London and co-author of the study, emphasized the potential of this technology to save lives. "The data are clear: by detecting cancer earlier, we can save more lives. While we have a way to go until we can catch all cancers in their earliest stages, we continue to make great and promising progress."

Key Takeaways:

  • Universal Diagnostics has successfully demonstrated the use of microbiome signatures in plasma to aid in the early detection of colorectal cancer.
  • The company's proprietary platform, Signal-X, is being built to detect multiple types of cancer, with its first product, Signal-C, detecting early-stage colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps.
  • Changes in gut microbiota have been shown to have a link to colorectal cancer development and progression.
  • Measuring cancer-related microbiome alterations in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) could offer an accurate, non-invasive approach for early cancer detection.
  • The achievement of high sensitivity, including at stage I/II and stage III/IV, at equally accurate specificity, demonstrates the potential of this technology to improve cancer detection.
  • The company's multi-cancer platform seeks to identify the unique DNA sequence regions associated with high-burden cancers, such as pancreatic, liver, and stomach, with high sensitivity and tissue-of-origin specificity.
  • Early detection of colorectal cancer increases the 5-year survival rate from 60% to 90%.

Statistics:

  • Colorectal cancer is the third deadliest cancer in the United States.
  • The 5-year survival rate for colorectal cancer increases from 60% to 90% when detected early.
  • The company's proprietary platform, Signal-X, has identified the specific cfDNA sequence regions that capture cancer's earliest signal with +90% accuracy.
  • The company's first single-draw blood test, Signal-C, detects colorectal cancer with high accuracy, including earlier and pre-cancer stages.

Sources:

  • Universal Diagnostics (2022, September 26). Universal Diagnostics Announces Breakthrough in Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer. Business Wire.
  • Hense, C. (2022, September 11). Analysis of microbiome signatures in plasma for early CRC detection. ESMO.
  • Kinross, J. (2022, September 11). Analysis of microbiome signatures in plasma for early CRC detection. ESMO.
  • Universal Diagnostics. (n.d.). About Universal Diagnostics. https://www.universaldx.com/