EXACT Sciences (EXAS) announced the published results of a study in which stool and blood plasma were compared head-to-head for the detection of colorectal cancer [CRC] using an improved BEAMing DNA detection technology from Johns Hopkins University. Study results demonstrated 92% sensitivity for detecting CRC in stool samples, which outperformed blood plasma testing — especially in the detection of early stage disease.

In the study, a total of 25 stool DNA [sDNA] samples from colorectal cancer patients were analyzed and a next generation sDNA technology correctly identified 23 (92%) of the cancers. In the 16 of 25 cases where there were paired stool and plasma DNA samples, the sDNA technology detected mutated DNA in stool in 14 cases (88%) while only 8 (50%) corresponding plasma DNA samples had detectable levels of mutated DNA. Further, when late-stage disease (Stage IV) is removed from the total, non-invasive sDNA performance remained at 86% (12/14) while plasma DNA performance fell to 43% (6/14). The results of the study, Analysis of Mutations in DNA Isolated from Plasma and Stool of Colorectal Cancer Patients, were published in the August journal of Gastroenterology.

BEAMing is the name of an assay technology which incorporates the use of “Beads, Emulsion, Amplification, and Magnetism”. The technology is a useful method for performing single-molecule analysis of DNA or “Digital PCR” that has been demonstrated to provide a high level of sensitivity for the detection of mutations or deletions in gene sequences of interest. Shares of EXACT Sciences (follow link for my PDF stock profile of EXAS) are trading up over 20% on light volume at 95 cents during intraday trading today.

Last 5 posts by Mike Havrilla

• RxNews Recap: 01-27-10 Repros Therapeutics rockets on news of FDA meeting. GenVec sinks on offering - January 27th, 2010
• Albertis $12.8B Bid to Lease PA Turnpike Expires with No Deal - October 1st, 2008
• Congress Working Overtime: $634B Spending Bill and Bailout Plan - September 27th, 2008
• Pfizer is a Big Pharma Buy - September 24th, 2008
• Bristol-Myers Ups Bid to $62 for ImClone - September 23rd, 2008