Meta-analysis published of faecal M2-PK in colorectal cancer screening

Authors conclude that “We recommend faecal M2-PK as a routine test for CRC screening”.

Faecal pyruvate kinase isoenzyme M2 for colorectal cancer screening: A meta-analysis.

Carolin Tonus, Markus Sellinger, Konrad Koss, Gero Neupert, World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2012 (August 14); 18 (30): 4004 – 4011.

This meta-analysis includes 17 studies, with a total of over 11,000 healthy subjects, more than 700 colorectal cancer patients and greater than 500 individuals with adenoma (polyps). The mean sensitivity of 80.3% for colorectal cancer, combined with a specificity of 95.2%, demonstrates the high accuracy of the faecal M2-PK test.

Data from four head-to-head studies comparing faecal M2-PK with guaiac faecal occult blood tests (gFOBT) demonstrated clearly superior sensitivity for faecal M2-PK (81.1% for faecal M2-PK versus 36.9% for gFOBT). Faecal M2-PK also showed higher sensitivity for adenoma with a diameter of more than 1 cm (47% for faecal M2-PK compared with 27% for gFOBT). As noted by the authors when discussing these results, whereas FOBT’s rely upon the presence of blood in the stool and therefore detect only those tumours or polyps that are bleeding , “faecal M2-PK has the advantage that it detects both bleeding as well as non-bleeding tumours and adenoma and will close a gap in clinical practice.”

Discussing the benefits of the faecal M2-PK test, the authors comment that “In conclusion, faecal M2-PK, either as an ELISA or as a lateral flow rapid test, is a cost-effective and easy-to-perform routine test”. They finish by stating that “Based on the current data we recommend the use of faecal M2-PK as a routine in-vitro diagnostic test for CRC screening.”

The faecal M2-PK test is available as a fully quantitative ELISA (ScheBo® • Tumor M2-PK™ Stool Test) or as a qualitative “rapid test” (ScheBo® M2-PK Quick™).

http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/abstract/v18/i30/4004.htm