Feinberg
Northwestern Medicine | Northwestern University | Faculty Profiles

News Center

  • Categories
    • Campus News
    • Disease Discoveries
    • Clinical Breakthroughs
    • Education News
    • Scientific Advances
  • Press Releases
  • Media Coverage
  • Podcasts
  • Editor’s Picks
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Cancer
    • Neurology and Neuroscience
    • Aging and Longevity
    • Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
  • News Archives
  • About Us
    • Media Contact
    • Share Your News
    • News Feeds
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
Menu
  • Categories
    • Campus News
    • Disease Discoveries
    • Clinical Breakthroughs
    • Education News
    • Scientific Advances
  • Press Releases
  • Media Coverage
  • Podcasts
  • Editor’s Picks
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Cancer
    • Neurology and Neuroscience
    • Aging and Longevity
    • Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
  • News Archives
  • About Us
    • Media Contact
    • Share Your News
    • News Feeds
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
Home » Gene-Based Cancer Test Studied
Uncategorized

Gene-Based Cancer Test Studied

By medwebFeb 1, 2002
Share
Facebook Twitter Email

February 8, 2002

Gene-Based Cancer Test Studied

CHICAGO— Northwestern University Medical School is testing an investigational, noninvasive, gene-based screening method for colorectal cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Around 57,000 Americans die of colon cancer each year. The test, called the PreGen-Plus, uses a technique similar to that described in an article in the Jan. 31 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. The test analyzes the DNA in a stool sample and checks for changes that develop during the precancerous and cancerous stages of colorectal cancer.

The stool test does not look for inherited conditions or risks, only specific changes in the DNA of colon and rectal cells that are associated with the development of colorectal cancer.

The gene-based screening test may be an alternative to some of the current first-line screening methods used for colorectal cancer, such as fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs), which are designed to detect blood in a stool sample.

Researchers in the study will compare the accuracy of the gene-based screening test for colorectal cancer vs. that with FOBT. The accuracy of both tests will be assessed based on the findings at a follow-up colonoscopy.

Colin Howden, M.D., a gastrointerologist and professor of medicine, is the principal investigator for the study at Northwestern. The study, which is sponsored by Massachusetts-based EXACT Sciences Corporation, will enroll approximately 5,000 individuals at Northwestern and other medical centers in the United Sates.

Colonoscopy is widely viewed as the best currently available method for detecting colorectal cancer because of its accuracy and ability to examine the entire colon while also removing or taking samples from suspect growths. Since colonoscopy is invasive and expensive, an accurate, first-line test is important to determine if a colonoscopy is necessary.

Women and men aged 65 and older who have not had a colonoscopy in the past 10 years are qualified to enroll in this research study. Participants will be asked to provide one stool sample for the investigational EXACT PreGen-Plus test, complete a Hemoccult® test and undergo a colonoscopy.

The study-related stool tests and lab analysis are provided at no cost. The colonoscopy will be billed to the partipant’s health insurance, such as Medicare. (As of July 1, 2001, Medicare beneficiaries are covered for a screening colonoscopy every 10 years.) In addition, study participants will be compensated financially.

For more information on the colorectal cancer screening study, call the Northwestern Center for Clinical Research at (312) 503-6227.

Share. Facebook Twitter Email

Related Posts

Mar 29, 2023

Adolescent Sexual Health Program Receives Funding for Social Marketing Campaign

Mar 29, 2023

Lurie Cancer Center Receives Merit Extension from NCI

Oct 20, 2021

Drug Combination May Reduce Risk of Leukemia Relapse

Mar 26, 2020

Comments are closed.

Latest News

Lloyd-Jones Announces He is Stepping Down as Chair of Preventive Medicine

Sep 27, 2023

Small, Implantable Device Could Sense and Treat Cancer

Sep 26, 2023

Gene Linked to Glioblastoma Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Immunosuppression

Sep 26, 2023

Northwestern Simulation’s In Situ Training Tests Cardiac Arrest Response Teams

Sep 25, 2023

Investigating the Link Between Iron Deficiency and Regulation of Cell Growth

Sep 25, 2023
  • News Center Home
  • Categories
  • Press Release
  • Media Coverage
  • Editor’s Picks
  • News Archives
  • About Us
Flickr Photos
20230914_NM461
20230914_NM644
20230914_NM345
20230914_NM444
20230914_NM464
20230914_NM520
20230914_NM673
20230914_NM641
20230914_NM612
20230914_NM608
20230914_NM602
20230914_NM597

Northwestern University logo

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

RSS Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Flickr YouTube Instagram
Copyright © 2023 Northwestern University
  • Contact Northwestern University
  • Disclaimer
  • Campus Emergency Information
  • Policy Statements

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.