A Multilocus Blood-Based Assay Targeting Circulating Tumor DNA Methylation Enables Early Detection and Early Relapse Prediction of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and deadliest cancers worldwide. Patient survival can be greatly improved if cancerous lesions are detected early.1 Despite a strong recommendation of colonoscopy for CRC screening, patients prefer noninvasive tests, and 83% favor blood-based tests.2 Blood tests that rely on a single DNA methylation biomarker have been approved3; however, they are not recommended due to the low sensitivity for detecting early-stage CRC.4