FDA advisers endorse Guardant Health’s colon cancer screening test Angus Chen Jonathan Wosen By Angus Chen and Jonathan Wosen May 23, 2024

https://www.statnews.com/2024/05/23/guardant-fda-shield-colon-cancer-blood-screening-panel-recommend/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--rcqGaItN7hqVXGG0ZW25pYCgM8mHi9eUPDWciheHSYzfYtGa3IX64EQlq6W4JClanQfXlNue-o-8a0Bf6aU2vfoOk0g&_hsmi=308523819&utm_content=308523819&utm_source=hs_email An independent panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration yesterday recommended the agency approve a blood-based colon cancer detection test made by Guardant Health. In a prospective study of 20,000 participants, the test detected 100% of colon cancers at stage 2 or later. The test is still less sensitive than a colonoscopy: It detects 65% of stage 1 cancers, and just 13% of precancerous polyps. But a blood-based test would be more convenient than a colonoscopy, which could encourage more patients to keep up with screening. Currently, a third of patients fall behind on recommended screening, which contributes to the majority of colon cancer deaths, report STAT’s Angus Chen and Jonathan Wosen.