What's Happening?
Biomodal, a life sciences technology company, has published a study in Nature Communications Medicine demonstrating a breakthrough in the early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) using liquid biopsy. The study highlights the company's duet evoC multiomic
solution, which distinguishes between two epigenetic markers, 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), in cell-free DNA. This approach achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 95% for stage I CRC, surpassing conventional methods. The research underscores the potential of incorporating hydroxymethylation information with existing methylation and mutational signatures to improve early cancer detection and patient care.
Why It's Important?
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and early detection significantly increases survival rates. Biomodal's findings could revolutionize cancer diagnostics by providing more sensitive and accurate liquid biopsy testing. This advancement could lead to earlier interventions and better outcomes for patients, addressing a critical need in oncology. The study also highlights the potential of multiomic approaches to uncover hidden biological signals, paving the way for next-generation diagnostics and therapies.
