Molecular diagnostics company Epigenomics is touting the findings of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that found the company's colon cancer screening blood test was cost-effective.
The authors analyzed clinical effectiveness and performance of alternative colorectal cancer screening tests, including methylated septin 9 (mSEPT9), marketed by Epigenomics as Epi proColon. They used five different scenarios, including ones that adjusted for starting age and adherence.
The study found annual screening with mSEPT9 was cost-effective compared to other alternatives, according to Epigenomics. The company's Epi proColon test reportedly had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $63,253 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, which was well under the willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 QALY gained.
The study used the cancer intervention and surveillance modeling network (CISNET) to compare the screening tests. This type of microsimulation model is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and used by the American Cancer Institute and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to evaluate colorectal cancer screening, according to the president of Epigenomics.
