RNA Screening Test Could Detect Colon Polyps Before They Become Cancerous

Colorectal cancer has become a growing health crisis, especially as it increasingly affects younger adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, while screening rates remain low. Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in men under 50 and the second-leading cause in women under 50. Despite guidelines recommending colonoscopies starting at age 45, nearly half of eligible adults skip screenings due to high costs, fear of invasive procedures, or lack of insurance. Furthermore, existing at-home stool DNA tests have limited sensitivity for detecting advanced precancerous polyps, which hinders early prevention. To address these challenges, researchers will conduct a first-of-its-kind 1,000-patient clinical study that will use RNA-based stool and saliva tests to detect colon polyps — early warning signs of colorectal cancer — before they become cancerous.

Viome Life Sciences (Bellevue, WA, USA) and Scripps Research (La Jolla, CA, USA) will jointly develop and clinically validate the first at-home RNA test designed to detect precancerous colon polyps, enabling early prevention of colorectal cancer. This partnership leverages Viome's AI-powered RNA sequencing platform alongside Scripps Research's clinical and translational expertise. The test uses RNA sequencing and AI to analyze dynamic microbiome and metatranscriptomic biomarkers, including immune responses, to identify molecular signs of polyp development. The team will conduct a 1,000-patient observational clinical study to train Viome's platform using RNA data collected from patients undergoing colonoscopies. The study aims to enhance the detection of early molecular signs of polyps before they turn cancerous, making the screening process simpler, more affordable, and non-invasive.

Image: The new study aims to enhance colorectal cancer prevention by identifying polyp molecular signals (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

The clinical study, which will take place at Scripps Health, will involve 1,000 patients undergoing routine colonoscopies. Viome's RNA sequencing platform will analyze stool and saliva samples collected prior to the procedures and compare gene expression profiles of patients with and without detected polyps. Preliminary data already shows promise in capturing metatranscriptomic signatures, indicating microbiome activity and immune responses in the colon. The results, published in Life Science Alliance, suggest that this approach could offer a more sensitive, non-invasive screening method for precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer. The researchers plan to validate the findings and eventually seek FDA approval to establish the test as a standard for colorectal cancer prevention.

“Our partnership with Viome is about turning cutting-edge science into practical medical solutions,” said Peter G. Schultz, Ph.D., President and CEO of Scripps Research, and President of Calibr-Skaggs. "This study could deliver a simple, at-home RNA test that empowers people to detect cancer risk early, without invasive procedures, and take action before cancer takes hold."

“Colorectal cancer is a preventable disease with early action,” added Naveen Jain, Founder and CEO of Viome. “This study is a critical first step toward developing an at-home RNA test that detects polyps before they turn cancerous, making screening simpler, affordable, and accessible. We aim to shift from late-stage detection to true prevention, helping eliminate colorectal cancer from our future.”

Related Links:
Viome Life Sciences
Scripps Research