Bhanu Patibandla, MD, CPE’s Post

How does the accuracy of the new blood test compare to traditional colonoscopy? The new blood test, Shield, demonstrates an **83% sensitivity** for detecting colorectal cancer, significantly lower than the **95% sensitivity** of colonoscopy for identifying dangerous polyps. While Shield is effective for late-stage cancers, it only detects **13%** of advanced precancerous lesions, compared to colonoscopy's ability to remove these lesions during the procedure. Additionally, colonoscopy has a **90% specificity**, whereas Shield's specificity is similar, at about **90%**. Therefore, while the blood test offers a less invasive option, it cannot replace colonoscopy's comprehensive detection capabilities. Sources: [1] New Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer: What to Know https://lnkd.in/erd-99GV [2] New Blood Test for Colon Cancer Highly Accurate in Trial https://lnkd.in/eeNXzRA7 [3] Shield Blood Test Approved for Colorectal Cancer Screening https://lnkd.in/e3K5qsRc [4] A Cell-free DNA Blood-Based Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening | NEJM https://lnkd.in/eyZqh3T8 [5] Don't skip colonoscopy for new blood-based colon cancer screening ... https://lnkd.in/e8ENbmTk [6] Current and future colorectal cancer screening strategies - PMC https://lnkd.in/e-Gb6n6f [7] New Blood Test For Colorectal Cancer—What You Need to Know https://lnkd.in/evXrw_Ju [8] FDA Approves Blood Test for Colon Cancer https://lnkd.in/eK97nduH

FDA approves first colorectal cancer blood test As colorectal cancer becomes more frequent also in younger ages (+45 years) a simple blood test is of tremendous value. Colonoscopy is still our best tool, but too many avoid/postpone or have limited screening access. Note:  When colon cancer is found at an early stage before it has spread, the five-year relative survival rate is 91%. If the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, the five-year relative survival rate is 14% https://lnkd.in/enACRrPw

Exciting news in the fight against colorectal cancer! Guardant Health’s Shield™ blood test has received FDA approval as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer, making it the first blood test to meet performance requirements for Medicare coverage. This innovative test offers a simple, convenient, and non-invasive alternative to traditional screening methods, potentially increasing screening rates and saving more lives through early detection. At Lampgen Clinical Research, we recognize the impact of such advancements in oncology. As a leading staffing firm, we are committed to providing expert oncology CRAs to ensure your cancer clinical trials are monitored with the highest standards of ICH/GCP and industry expertise. We take pride in supporting companies pioneering these critical developments in cancer care. #OncologyResearch #ClinicalTrials #CancerScreening #ColorectalCancer #FDAApproval #MedicareCoverage #PrecisionOncology #GuardantHealth #EarlyDetection #HealthcareInnovation #LampgenClinicalResearch #CRAs #CancerAwareness ⛓️💥 https://lnkd.in/eWJw45E9

Happy to share our updated RIN results in MSS chemo-refractory non-liver metastatic colorectal cancer- median OS 27.5months. We never gave up on immunotherapy in microsatellite stable CRC (and low TMB). We have shown that site of metastatic disease matters and that some of the non-liver metastatic disease patients can have very profound and durable responses to RIN therapy. Here we show that a large proportion of the non-liver metastatic disease patients derived clinical benefits for several years after starting RIN (regorafenib ipilimumab nivolumab) treatment. 3 patients are without any active metastatic disease more than 3.5 years from initiating treatment (more than 1.5 years without any therapy) and with negative MRD assays. In some patients with MSS CRC, we believe immunotherapy can be potentially curative. Check our updated clinical data on our RIN study in: European Journal of Cancer https://lnkd.in/gKBtSk_A

"In some patients with MSS CRC, we believe immunotherapy can be potentially curative." Dr Fakih demonstrates if the safety of the triple combo of Regorafenib/Ipi/Nivo is managed well, prolonged survival is possible for certain lucky patients! By going beyond the safety and efficacy limits of the first generation SOC such as regorafenib and Ipi/nivo IO doublet, we are looking forward to transforming the life of MSS CRC patients with nextgen CTLA-4/PD1 doublet in combination with SOCs in early and late line therapies for a broad patient population!

A question may remain as to whether an FDA advisory panel's recommended approval of a colorectal cancer blood test is a win for early screening and detection. If approved, it would not be the first blood-based screening tool available, but it is another less invasive option than colonoscopies which remain the gold standard. The upside is that an additional less invasive blood test could potentially increase diagnosis rates if it’s able to reach people who may typically refuse a colonoscopy. Fast facts: - 91% of patients with colorectal cancer detected by a colonoscopy tested positive with the blood test, so some false negatives which contribute to the controversy. - 89.9% of patients without cancer tested negative on the blood test, so some false positives - but it missed about 87% of advanced precancerous lesions, with a specificity rate of just 13.2% which is where a lot of the controversy appears to lie https://lnkd.in/eS65bGzZ #cancer #biotech #insights

𝗔𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻: 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Aspirin is one of the most commonly used drugs. It can help alleviate headaches and reduce fevers. Doctors also prescribe it as a cardiovascular prophylactic. Remarkably, aspirin even traveled to the moon. In the past decade, the role of aspirin has emerged as one of the most interesting and promising agents for the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer. What does this mean? A growing body of evidence has shown that people who regularly take aspirin have a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) and are less likely to die if they do develop the disease. The mechanism behind this effect is fascinating, as it goes beyond the well-known COX inhibition. Aspirin may play a role in enhancing immunosurveillance, helping T cells identify tumor cells as foreign and destroy them. Will any company invest in large-scale clinical trials to explore this potential further? That remains unlikely...

https://lnkd.in/db4CpyGf Colonoscopies Outperform New Blood Tests for Colon Cancer Screening Samantha Anderer Article Information JAMA. Published online December 6, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.24262 The prospect of avoiding an invasive colonoscopy has helped fuel interest around new less-invasive alternatives to colorectal cancer screenings, such as stool-based tests and cell-free blood-based DNA tests, which received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this past July. But traditional colonoscopies remain the best method for catching colorectal cancer early, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers analyzed screening data to model colorectal cancer and death among a hypothetical group of average-risk people. For every 100 000 people who receive a colonoscopy every decade starting at age 45 years, they estimated that 1543 would develop colorectal cancer and 672 would die from the disease. Among the 100 000 tested with stool-based tests every 1 or 3 years, the estimated incidence of cancer was about 2200 to 2500, and death estimates ranged from around 900 to 1000. Blood tests, covered by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services every 3 years, would result in about 4300 cases and up to around 1700 deaths, about 2.5 times as many deaths as in the colonoscopy group. Although blood tests do not yet match the performance of colonoscopies, any screening proved better than none: the study found that 7470 of every 100 000 people not screened would develop cancer, with 3624 dying from it. The researchers noted blood tests could be a viable option for those who would not otherwise undergo screening.

The recent FDA approval of the Shield blood test marks a significant advancement in the colorectal cancer screening landscape. This blood-based test, which looks for specific changes in cell-free DNA, offers a more convenient screening option for those at average risk for colon cancer. At Lampgen Clinical Research, we recognize the potential of this innovation, as it may close the gap in screening rates and offer a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods like colonoscopy. However, while the Shield test demonstrates strong sensitivity for detecting cancer, its ability to identify precancerous lesions remains lower than that of colonoscopy. This raises critical questions about how it fits into the broader screening paradigm. As with all oncology trials and treatments, the ultimate goal is not just early detection but also prevention—ensuring patients follow through with necessary procedures like colonoscopy when a positive result arises. At Lampgen, we are committed to ensuring that our oncology CRAs are equipped to monitor these critical developments in cancer screening, particularly as more non-invasive methods become available. Our focus remains on bridging the gap between innovation and patient outcomes by ensuring that cancer clinical trials are staffed with highly experienced professionals who understand both the promise and limitations of emerging technologies like Shield. #OncologyResearch #ColorectalCancer #CancerScreening #ClinicalTrials #FDAApproval #LiquidBiopsy #CancerPrevention #PatientCare #HealthcareInnovation #LampgenClinicalResearch #PrecisionMedicine #CancerDetection #HealthcareEquality #Oncology https://lnkd.in/e92QEevM

Cancer cachexia, marked by severe weight loss and muscle wasting, poses a significant challenge in the fight against cancer. Roughly half of all cancer patients grapple with this debilitating condition, with rates soaring to 86% in the final 1–2 weeks of life, leading to more than 10% loss in body weight for 45% of patients. In the United States alone, cancer cachexia affects around 60% of the 1.4 million newly diagnosed cancer patients annually. Its prevalence varies among cancer types, ranging from 60% in lung cancer to approximately 80% in gastrointestinal cancers (such as pancreas, stomach, colorectal, and esophagus). Cachexia contributes to over 30% of cancer-related deaths, with more than half of patients experiencing it at the end of life. Late-stage patients are particularly vulnerable, with 50–80% affected by cachexia. Prominent pharmaceutical players working proactively in the cancer cachexia market include ACTIMED THERAPEUTICS, AVEO Oncology, Pfizer, Extend Biosciences, Inc., and others. To know more about the treatment options in the cancer cachexia market, visit: https://lnkd.in/dU-2wu9w #cancercachexia #weightloss #musclewasting #cancerbattle #patientcare #cancerawareness #endoflife #oncology #healthcare #diseaseprogression #treatmentstrategies #medicalresearch #patientwellness #fightagainstcancer #supportivecare