Pioneering test for colorectal cancer – Interview with Harper’s Bazaar

IQ Genomix CEO Nikolaos Tsoulos, PhD, MBA, biochemist, talks to Harper’s Bazaar about the innovative Colon AiQ test, a non-invasive test that detects colorectal cancer in early stages through a simple blood draw.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and deadliest cancers worldwide. It is one of the five types of cancer for which there are recommendations from international guidelines for screening the general population. Data from more recent studies support an increase in the incidence in younger people, with the result that the age at which screening is now recommended to start at 45 years.

The screening options available so far have consisted of invasive procedures, such as colonoscopy, and non-invasive ones, such as faecal immunochemical testing (FIT). However, there is a serious problem of low population compliance with screening recommendations, especially with colonoscopy.

To solve this problem, the Colon AiQ test, provided by IQ Genomix, was developed, based on innovative technologies that combine biology with artificial intelligence and detect colorectal cancer in its early stages.

WHAT IS COLON AIQ?

Colon AiQ is a non-invasive test, which means that a simple blood draw can detect epigenetic modifications at the DNA level associated with colorectal cancer with high specificity and sensitivity rates.

THE BENEFITS OF COLON AIQ:

Colon AiQ can detect colorectal cancer in the early stages before symptoms appear, even at a stage where only precancerous lesions are present. Compared to the faecal immunochemical test (FIT), Colon AiQ has a much higher sensitivity, especially in the early stages of cancer.

EARLY DIAGNOSIS IS ESSENTIAL

Colorectal cancer can develop without obvious symptoms for a long time. By the time symptoms such as abdominal pain or blood in the stool appear, the cancer may already have progressed to a stage where management is challenging and a cure may be impossible. Early diagnosis is critical because it enables doctors to apply more effective treatments, significantly increasing the survival rate of patients.

With Colon AiQ, there is now a simple, non-invasive and effective way to detect colorectal cancer early, contributing to early diagnosis and a greater chance of survival for these patients.