EDX Medical Group plc (AQSE:EDX), which develops innovative digital diagnostic products and services for major diseases, has announced the full availability of its comprehensive bowel cancer biomarker testing service in the UK.
The BC95 testing service involves three component tests:
- a highly sensitive biomarker test for the very early detection of bowel cancer
- a comprehensive report on a panel of hereditary genetic risks
- a reference test for faecal haemoglobin which aligns with current NHS practice.
The BC95 service enable sensitivities in excess of 95% across stages 1 to 4 of bowel or colorectal cancer, the second most common cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. More than 46,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK, according to Bowel Cancer UK and around 17,700 people die per annum.
EDX Medical initially offered the service to a limited group of clinicians prior to full commercial availability and preliminary clinical evaluation of the BC95 service has indicated particular demand for the early detection test.
EDX Medical has an exclusive agreement with Genomictree Ltd of South Korea, to provide their innovative EarlyTect® epigenetic test that measures aberrant methylation of the SDC2 (Syndecan 2 gene) promoter region, a biomarker that is frequently observed in early-stage colorectal cancer tissues. It is the most sensitive and accurate epigenetic biomarker test for colorectal cancer currently available on the UK market.
In a clinical study of 1124 asymptomatic patients with an overall disease incidence of 1.8%, this test has been shown to have an average sensitivity of 95% for detecting stage 1-4 colorectal cancer, with an exceptionally high sensitivity (89.1%2) for detecting very early-stage cancers (stage 0-2). The test even detects pre-cancerous advanced adenomatous polyps with a sensitivity of 58.1%1 making it a particularly useful tool for monitoring those known to have an increased risk of cancer due to hereditary genetics or lifestyle.
Professor Sir Chris Evans, founder of EDX Medical, commented: “We are delighted that early indications from healthcare professionals are showing such strong interest in the early detection element of the testing service and we believe that the combinations of complementary tests available in the BC95 service are unique in the UK. The UK cancer diagnostics market is growing rapidly with a substantial uplift in overall value forecast over the next few years and we believe the BC95 service fits perfectly with the increasing demand for comprehensive and sophisticated diagnostics.”
Dr Mike Hudson, chief executive, EDX Medical, commented: “For far too long, late detection of bowel cancer has seriously limited treatment options for patients, and reduced the likelihood of survival, especially at a time when the disease is increasingly occurring in a younger generation of patients. The UK is a key growth market for cancer diagnostics and consumables are the fastest growing segment of the market. The BC95 bowel cancer testing service is an important contribution to detecting bowel cancer early.”
Charlotte Rutherford is an advocate who successfully battled Stage 4 bowel cancer after being diagnosed aged 26. She is now in remission and works to raise awareness of the disease.
Charlotte commented: “One of the biggest challenges with bowel cancer is that many people either do not recognise the symptoms or delay seeking advice because they do not think anything is seriously wrong. I am passionate about encouraging people to take control of their own health and not ignore symptoms or warning signs.
“Early diagnosis and early detection are absolutely critical because they can dramatically improve treatment options and outcomes. Innovative testing services such as BC95 give people access to highly accurate screening and detection tools, empowering individuals to be proactive about their health and helping identify bowel cancer at a stage when it is most treatable.”
