A study presented today by Mayo Clinic researchers at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2012 in Chicago identified two genes that are optimal targets to be analyzed in a new noninvasive test for colorectal cancer developed by Mayo Clinic, in collaboration with Exact Sciences Corporation.  The test uses a small sample of a patient’s stool to check for specific DNA changes, known as gene methylation, that occur as cancer develops. The test can quickly detect both early stage cancer and precancerous polyps…“This study provided a means to refine our stool test and to minimize false-positive results, which can lead to unnecessary expense and cause patients undue stress,” says principal investigator David Ahlquist, M.D., of Mayo Clinic.

Irish Free Press    4/4/12

Tags: American Association for Cancer Research, Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Dr. David Ahlquist, Exact Sciences, Genomics, methylation, Research