AI-Based Blood Test Highly Accurate In Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 25 Jan 2024

Image: The PreveCol blood test for oncological diagnosis has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the US FDA (Photo courtesy of Amadix)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most common cancer in men and the second in women globally, accounting for 10% of all cancer cases, with more developed regions witnessing 55% of these cases. It also stands as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, contributing to 9.4% of all cancer fatalities. Despite the availability of CRC screening methods like colonoscopy and fecal-based tests, they have limitations. There is a pressing need for a more effective blood-based CRC screening tool that can detect cancer early, accurately, and easily across different stages. Now, an innovative early-detection blood-based test has demonstrated high potential and superior accuracy in diagnosing CRC.

Developed by Amadix (Madrid, Spain), the CRC screening blood test, PreveCol, integrates an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven algorithm with plasma biomarker level analysis to detect CRC and advanced adenoma (AA) early. PreveCol is designed for early biomarker detection in the blood associated with colorectal neoplasia and is suitable for screening adults aged 45 and above without apparent symptoms. It shows high accuracy in detecting colorectal cancer and particularly excels in identifying advanced adenomas, which are precancerous lesions. A positive PreveCol result suggests the possible presence of colorectal cancer and/or advanced precancerous lesions, warranting a follow-up diagnostic colonoscopy. This blood-based test for early CRC detection is non-invasive, quick, and does not require sedation.

Early detection and removal of premalignant lesions are crucial in preventing the development of CRC, and early cancer detection significantly improves patient outcomes. These factors highlight the importance of CRC screening as a global health priority. PreveCol's non-invasive nature, requiring only a blood test, can enhance adherence to colorectal cancer screening guidelines. The test has earned the Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), marking it as the first European company to receive such recognition for early CRC detection. PreveCol has shown potential to be significantly beneficial to patients and has demonstrated better diagnostic efficacy compared to existing approved CRC screening tests in the US.

"To gain this recognition from the FDA is an important milestone for our company. It motivates us to continue working to bring PreveCol to American patients as soon as possible," said Rocío Arroyo, Amadix CEO. “We will continue preventing the onset of colorectal cancer and the complications derived from the current treatments.”