Hot Mail: Temperature Exposure during Mail Return of an Immunochemical Fecal Occult Blood Test.

Background: Fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) are widely used for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening; however, high ambient temperatures were found to reduce test accuracy. More recently, proprietary globin stabilizers were added to FIT sample buffers to prevent temperature-associated hemoglobin (Hb) degradation, but their effectiveness remains uncertain. We aimed to determine the impact of high temperature (>30°C) on OC-Sensor FIT Hb concentration with current FITs, characterize FIT temperatures during mail transit, and determine impact of ambient temperature on FIT Hb concentration using data from a CRC screening program.

The Effect of the Variability in Fecal Immunochemical Test Sample Collection Technique on Clinical Performance.

Background: Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) performance can be affected by post-collection variables. Collection technique might also affect fecal hemoglobin concentration (f-Hb). Variation in quantity of feces collected in samples returned in a colorectal cancer detection program, and the effects of under-sampling, were assessed.

Circulating tumour DNA for monitoring colorectal cancer-a prospective cohort study to assess relationship to tissue methylation, cancer characteristics and surgical resection.

Background: Cell-free circulating tumour-derived DNA (ctDNA) can be detected by testing for methylated and DNA, which has proven sensitivity for colorectal cancer (CRC). A prospective correlative biomarker study between presence of methylated and in tissue and blood was conducted in cases with CRC to explore how detection of such ctDNA biomarkers relates to cancer characteristics, methylation in tissue and surgical resection of the primary cancer.

Methods: Enrolled patients with invasive CRC had blood collected at diagnosis, prior to any treatment or surgery (peri-diagnostic sample).

Effect of sample storage temperature and buffer formulation on faecal immunochemical test haemoglobin measurements.

Objectives Faecal immunochemical test accuracy may be adversely affected when samples are exposed to high temperatures. This study evaluated the effect of two sample collection buffer formulations (OC-Sensor, Eiken) and storage temperatures on faecal haemoglobin readings. Methods Faecal immunochemical test samples returned in a screening programme and with ≥10 µg Hb/g faeces in either the original or new formulation haemoglobin stabilizing buffer were stored in the freezer, refrigerator, or at room temperature (22℃-24℃), and reanalysed after 1-14 days.