Viome Life Sciences has formed a collaboration with Scripps Research to develop an at-home ribonucleic acid (RNA) screening test aimed at early detection of precancerous colon polyps.
This initiative seeks to address the rising incidence of colorectal cancer in younger adults, with the disease increasingly affecting individuals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.
The collaboration will utilise Viome’s RNA sequencing and artificial intelligence (AI) platform alongside the clinical expertise of Scripps Research and its divisions. To support this, a clinical study involving 1,000 patients undergoing colonoscopies at Scripps Health is set to commence this summer.
The study aims to train Viome’s platform to identify early molecular signals indicative of polyp development before cancer symptoms manifest.
Scripps Research president and CEO Peter Schultz said: “Our partnership with Viome is about turning cutting-edge science into practical medical solutions.
“This study could deliver a simple, at-home RNA test that empowers people to detect cancer risk early, without invasive procedures, and take action before cancer takes hold.”
Statistics reveal that colorectal cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men under 50 and the second-leading cause for women in this age group. Despite recommendations for regular screenings from age 45 onwards, nearly half of the eligible population neglects these tests due to various barriers, including cost and fear of invasive procedures.
While existing at-home stool DNA tests have high sensitivity for detecting colorectal cancer, they fall short in identifying advanced precancerous polyps. Viome’s RNA-based test aims to improve detection rates significantly by analysing dynamic microbiome and metatranscriptomic biomarkers using its AI technology.
Viome founder and CEO Naveen Jain said: “Colorectal cancer is a preventable disease with early action.
“This study is a critical first step toward developing an at-home RNA test that detects polyps before they turn cancerous, making screening simpler, affordable, and accessible. We aim to shift from late-stage detection to true prevention, helping eliminate colorectal cancer from our future.”
The observational clinical study will involve routine gastrointestinal exams for healthy patients, with Viome collecting stool and saliva samples prior to their colonoscopies.
The data will be analysed through unbiased RNA sequencing to differentiate between those with and without detected polyps. This process will also involve training predictive models to identify early biomarkers indicative of colorectal cancer risk.
Preliminary findings from Viome suggest that a metatranscriptomic signature reflecting microbiome activity and human immune responses can be captured. If validated, Viome plans to advance this research by introducing a diagnostic test that could effectively predict high-risk individuals without necessitating traditional colonoscopies.
Initially targeting distribution through licensed physicians, Viome intends for patients to collect samples at home. Future plans include publishing study results to contribute to colorectal cancer prevention strategies and potentially seeking FDA approval for broader adoption as a standard care practice.
Viome already provides health insights through its Full Body Intelligence Test, which assesses chronic condition risks and offers nutrition guidance based on RNA analysis from various biological samples.
