https://seekingalpha.com/article/...-next-overreaction-exact-sciencesAntwort von Julian Jacob auf meine Ausführungen zu ProColon:
Could you please explain how Epi procolon would be beneficial in the USA with such a low sensitivity. As a result you would have to take the test every year. But with a 80% specificity statistically you are guaranteed to need a follow up diagnostic Colonoscopy every 5 years.
By the guidelines a colonoscopy is recommended every 10years. But with epi procolon I would need it within 5 years no matter if I have something or not. So what is the benefit of the test when it would result in a colonoscopy within 5 years anyhow- IMHO it is basically useless. Am I missing something?
Meine Antwort (es wird Zeit, dass die EXAS Investoren was von uns hören und vielleicht auch in Epi investieren.)
@ Julian
The numbers about sensitivity in USPTF of the ProColon test (indicated as serology test) of 48% is wrong. ProColon got FDA approval in 2016 on basis of two large studies. One was a head-2-head study with FIT. It turned out that ProColon has a sensitivity of 71% compared to FIT with 68%
With respect to Specificity ProColon is inferior with 80% in contrast to FIT with over 90%
Admittedly, a 20% false positive rate will lead to more colonoscopies. As my friend PSalerno said correctly: with a positive test result the patient should switch to other testing methods. Patients should consider besides of the blood test alternative methods such as stool, anyway.
The point of ProColon is different. It is all about to entice more patients into CRC screening. as the current 61% is far below of 80% screening rate. However, endeveavours to increase the screening rate in the past were not really fruitful. So a blood based test has good potential to do so.
From an investment point of view: ProColon has potential to reach the unscreened, either unable or unwilling to undergo CRC screening with other methods, such as stool test.
ProColon appeals to people in rural areas, unable, unwilling. Several studies proved that admittance to a blood test (with Patients resistant to stool test or colonoscopies) is with over 90% much higher than a stool test.
If you're interested in Epigenomics and in the investment opportunity pls. read the following. the last barrier for commercial success of Epigenomics remains in reimbursement by CMS. Once this happened - and chances are not bad (there is a legislative bi-partisan initiative in congress ongoing at the moment) EXAS will get into trouble. ProColon will cost 150-190$
EXAS strived to have a blood based lung cancer test. As we learned in this article results were not much convincing. Epigenomics got already one: Epi ProLung, cleared with the European FDA and is currently working on liver.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/...-results-earnings-call-transcript