The New England Journal of Medicine Publishes Cologuard Plus™ Test Results from Pivotal BLUE-C Study
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Insights
The findings from the BLUE-C study regarding Exact Sciences' Cologuard Plus are significant for the medical community and patients alike. The reported 94% sensitivity for colorectal cancer (CRC) is a substantial improvement over the 67% sensitivity of the traditional fecal immunochemical test (FIT). This high sensitivity is crucial for early detection, which is directly linked to better treatment outcomes and survival rates for CRC patients. Moreover, the high specificity rates, particularly the 96% in the 45-54 age group, suggest a reduction in false-positive results, which can alleviate the burden on healthcare systems by minimizing unnecessary colonoscopies.
It is also noteworthy that the study included a diverse population, which enhances the generalizability of the results across different racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. The inclusion of participants with a family history of CRC serves to broaden the potential application of the test to higher-risk groups. The potential market expansion for Cologuard Plus could be substantial, given the emphasis on early detection and personalized medicine in oncology.
From an economic perspective, the introduction of Cologuard Plus could have a considerable impact on the healthcare industry. The test’s ability to reduce false positives and its high sensitivity may lead to a decrease in unnecessary procedures, which in turn could result in cost savings for both patients and insurers. This is particularly relevant in the context of the U.S. healthcare system, where the cost of medical procedures is a significant concern.
Furthermore, early and accurate detection of CRC through Cologuard Plus could lead to lower treatment costs associated with late-stage cancer care. This preventative approach aligns with value-based care initiatives that prioritize patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness. The potential approval and market release of Cologuard Plus in 2025 could disrupt the current CRC screening market, potentially affecting the stock valuations of companies involved in CRC screening and diagnostics.
For investors and stakeholders in Exact Sciences, the publication of the BLUE-C study in a prestigious journal like The New England Journal of Medicine adds credibility and visibility to Cologuard Plus. The reported performance metrics position the product as a leader in the noninvasive CRC screening space. Given the size of the CRC screening market and the emphasis on noninvasive tests, the introduction of Cologuard Plus could capture significant market share.
However, the timeline for FDA approval and market availability in 2025 suggests a lag before revenue impact is realized. Investors will need to weigh the potential long-term gains against the current investment in research and development, as well as regulatory approval processes. The impact on Exact Sciences’ stock will likely be influenced by investor confidence in the company’s ability to navigate these processes successfully and the anticipation of market adoption rates post-approval.
Cologuard Plus is only noninvasive test to be evaluated head-to-head against an independent fecal immunochemical test, which it significantly outperformed
20,000-participant BLUE-C study included 98 colorectal cancers and reflects racial and ethnic diversity of
Company will host conference call and webcast at 8:00 a.m. ET on March 14 to discuss study results
The 20,000-participant BLUE-C study was designed to determine the performance characteristics of Exact Sciences’ next-generation multitarget stool DNA test, Cologuard Plus, for colorectal cancer (CRC) and to compare that performance to the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), a commonly used noninvasive CRC screening test. Exact Sciences submitted to the
Cologuard Plus met all BLUE-C study endpoints, demonstrating
Results from BLUE-C also show Cologuard Plus significantly outperformed an independent FIT* for overall CRC sensitivity, treatable-stage CRC (stages I-III) sensitivity, high-grade dysplasia sensitivity, and advanced precancerous lesion sensitivity.
Cologuard
|
Independent
|
|
Cancer sensitivity |
94 |
67 |
Specificity including non-advanced findings |
91 |
95 |
Specificity including no findings |
93 |
96 |
Stages I-III cancer sensitivity |
93 |
65 |
High-grade dysplasia sensitivity |
75 |
47 |
Advanced precancer sensitivity |
43 |
23 |
Note: specificity including non-advanced findings includes colonoscopy results that were negative for cancer or advanced precancer upon histopathological review; specificity including no findings includes no findings on colonoscopy and no histopathological review; high-grade dysplasia is a subtype of advanced precancer that includes carcinoma in situ or stage 0 cancer |
||
To potentially expand the eligible screening population beyond average-risk patients, the BLUE-C study enrolled a small subset of participants with a first-degree relative with a history of CRC. Sensitivities for CRC and advanced precancerous lesions were similar among participants with a first-degree relative with a history of CRC and those without such a relative.
Among the subset of nearly 19,000 participants who were average-risk, without a first-degree relative with a history of CRC, Cologuard Plus exhibited
“Cologuard Plus is highly sensitive for detecting colorectal cancer,” said Thomas F. Imperiale, MD, professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, research scientist at the Regenstrief Institute, and principal investigator for the BLUE-C study. “This noninvasive test also detected a good proportion of the most advanced precancerous lesions, and did so with a low number of false-positive test results.”
The prospective, multi-center BLUE-C study utilized colonoscopy as a reference method, directly comparing Cologuard Plus and an independent FIT. BLUE-C investigators also collected blood samples for evaluation of a blood-based CRC screening test developed by Exact Sciences.
“BLUE-C’s publication in The New England Journal of Medicine reflects a decade of deep scientific and medical research in collaboration with Mayo Clinic,” said Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences. “We’re eager to bring an improved, noninvasive colorectal cancer screening test to patients in Cologuard Plus, as colorectal cancer remains the most preventable, yet least prevented cancer.”
The BLUE-C study cohort was diverse and reflective of the
“Many of the 53,000 Americans killed by colorectal cancer each year come from communities of color, a disparity we must work together to eliminate,” said Gary A. Puckrein, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of National Minority Quality Forum. “Access to innovations in colorectal cancer screening like the Cologuard Plus test and navigation that helps people get screened will play an important role in helping reduce the disproportionate and deadly impact colorectal cancer has on communities of color.”
Conference call and webcast details
Exact Sciences management will host a conference call and webcast on March 14 at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss results of the pivotal BLUE-C study. The webcast will be available at www.exactsciences.com. Domestic callers should dial (800) 715-9871 and international callers should dial +1 646-307-1963. The access code for both domestic and international callers is 5347907. An archive of the webcast will be available at www.exactsciences.com. The webcast, conference call, and replay are open to all interested parties.
About the BLUE-C Study
BLUE-C was a multi-center, prospective study (NCT04144738) of more than 20,000 adults 40 years of age and older.1 The trial was designed to evaluate the performance of Cologuard Plus (next generation multitarget stool DNA or mt-sDNA). Using colonoscopy as a reference method, the robust study design directly compared Cologuard Plus and an independent FIT. Blood samples were also collected for evaluation of a blood-based screening test developed by Exact Sciences. BLUE-C is one of the largest, noninvasive CRC screening trials ever conducted, and the study population reflects the racial and ethnic makeup of
About Cologuard Plus
Developed in collaboration with Mayo Clinic, Cologuard Plus features novel biomarkers and improved laboratory processes. It also incorporates enhanced sample stability components to provide patients more time to return their sample to Exact Sciences' lab and increase the valid result rate. Exact Sciences is preparing for FDA approval and the commercialization of Cologuard Plus.
About Exact Sciences Corp.
A leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, Exact Sciences gives patients and health care professionals the clarity needed to take life-changing action earlier. Building on the success of the Cologuard® and Oncotype® tests, Exact Sciences is investing in its pipeline to develop innovative solutions for use before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis. For more information, visit ExactSciences.com, follow Exact Sciences on X (formerly known as Twitter) @ExactSciences, or find Exact Sciences on LinkedIn and Facebook.
NOTE: Exact Sciences and Cologuard Plus are trademarks or registered trademarks of Exact Sciences Corporation. Oncotype is a registered trademark of Genomic Health, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Exact Sciences Corporation. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning our expectations, anticipations, intentions, beliefs, or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that we have made as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, conditions and events to differ materially from those anticipated. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding the development and commercialization of the Cologuard Plus test; the performance characteristics and healthcare benefits of Cologuard Plus in a commercial setting; and the timing and anticipated results of FDA submission. Risks and uncertainties that may affect our forward-looking statements are described in the Risk Factors sections of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
*The commercially-available Polymedco OC-Auto® Micro 80 iFOB Test
References
- Imperiale T, et al. N Engl J Med (2024)
-
United States Census Bureau. Annual Estimates of the Resident Population by Single Year of Age and Sex for
the United States : April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022 (NC-EST2022-AGESEX-RES). Accessed 16 October 2023. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-national-detail.html
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240313292947/en/
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Lindsey Dickinson
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lidickinson@exactsciences.com
Investor:
Nathan Harrill
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investorrelations@exactsciences.com
Source: Exact Sciences Corp.
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