Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most deadly cancer indication in Europe and as much can be gained from diagnosis in the early stages of the disease, all EU countries are recommended to implement population-wide CRC screening between the ages of 50 and 75.
Early detection crucial
Denmark introduced a population-wide screening program in 2014 and in 2016, over 335 people were tested, of whom 000 were assessed as having colon adenomas with a medium to high risk of developing CRC. An adenoma, or glandular tumor, is a benign tumor that can cause damage by pressing into surrounding tissue or by secreting large amounts of hormones and eventually developing into a full-fledged cancerous tumor. At the European level, more than 6 individuals between the ages of 500 and 500 are expected to have colon adenomas with a medium to high risk of developing colorectal cancer each year.
»For us as an umbrella organization representing colorectal cancer patients in Europe, CRC screening programs are essential to improve CRC patient survival. Too often, patients are diagnosed late in the disease. Today, 56% of colorectal cancer patients are diagnosed at stage III or IV, which is shocking for a disease that can take up to ten years to develop. Combining universal screening programs with innovative drug trials that can prevent adenoma recurrence and CRC development could have a major impact. We fully support this initiative« – Stefan Gijssels, Executive Director of Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE)
Once the affected individuals are diagnosed, they also need to be treated. 2cureX new feasibility study aims to investigate whether the company's IndiTreattest has the capacity to contribute to the effective treatment of colon adenomas. The study aims to identify existing as well as new drugs that can prevent colon adenomas from developing into full-blown colorectal cancer.
IndiTreat offers personalized treatment
IndiTreat – Individual Treatment Design – is a functional test to select the right drug for the right patient. IndiTreat creates thousands of 3D microtumors that have similar functionality to the patient's tumor and then selects the most suitable treatment for each patient from a large selection of approved drugs.
In addition to the test currently undergoing clinical validation studies in advanced (stage III and IV) colorectal, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, the scope of application is now being broadened to include preventive CRC treatment. If the feasibility study is successful, IndiTreat could enable large-scale general testing to identify preventive cancer treatments tailored to the individual adenoma patient.
Testing patients participating in the Danish screening program
The feasibility study is being initiated by Bispebjerg University Hospital and the hospital will pay for the colonoscopy while 2cureX will pay for the IndiTreat test. The study has been approved by the Danish National Committee for Health Research Ethics and patient recruitment will begin as early as March 2019.
Bispebjerg University Hospital is one of the largest colonoscopy centers in Denmark. When a person who has participated in the Danish screening program has been diagnosed with colon adenoma and has agreed to participate in the study, 2cureX will obtain an adenoma tissue sample from the patient's colonoscopy. Using the IndiTreat test, 2cureX will then establish microadenomas. Both existing drugs (e.g. COX inhibitors) and new investigational agents are then tested on these for their ability to prevent adenomas from recurring and developing into colorectal cancer. Based on the test result, a treatment strategy can then be recommended to prevent the adenoma from recurring and developing into CRC.
»The CRC screening program in Denmark is a success with high acceptance (65%) from individuals to provide a stool sample. 7% of the tested individuals are subsequently offered a colonoscopy where we remove adenomas in 49% of cases. It will be a breakthrough if after adenoma removal we can offer patients a medical treatment that reduces the risk of recurrent adenomas and development of CRC. I therefore look forward to seeing the results from the IndiTreat trial« – Morten Rasmussen, Principal Investigator of the feasibility study and national coordinator of CRC screening in Denmark
BioStock had a chat with Ole Thastrup, CEO of 2cureX
Later Securities Commission organized its capital markets event Later that day in Copenhagen 2cureX was among the participants. BioStock was there and had a chat with the company's CEO, Ole Thastrup.
See the full interview below.
The content of Biostock's news and analysis is independent, but Biostock's operations are to some extent financed by companies in the industry. This post refers to a company from which BioStock has received funding. [et_bloom_inline optin_id=”optin_4″]