Surreal illustration of a path to colon health guided by a blood drop.

Nu.Q™ Triage Test: A Smarter Approach to Colorectal Cancer Screening

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Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Reduce unnecessary colonoscopies and improve early detection with this innovative blood test."


Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is crucial for early detection and improved outcomes. However, widespread adoption of stool-based CRC screening programs is straining colonoscopy resources. Many individuals who test positive through initial screening methods may not actually have advanced adenomas or cancer, leading to unnecessary colonoscopies.

To address this challenge, researchers have developed the Nu.Q™ Colorectal Cancer Screening Triage Test, a blood test designed to refine the screening process. The goal? To reduce the number of unnecessary colonoscopies performed on individuals who are at low risk of screen-relevant neoplasia (no findings or low-risk adenomas) while maintaining high sensitivity for detecting CRC.

This article will delve into the details of the Nu.Q™ Triage Test, exploring its methodology, performance results, and potential impact on colorectal cancer screening programs. We'll examine how this innovative test can help optimize resource allocation, improve patient experience, and enhance the overall effectiveness of CRC screening.

How Does the Nu.Q™ Triage Test Work?

Surreal illustration of a path to colon health guided by a blood drop.

The Nu.Q™ Triage Test analyzes circulating nucleosomes in the blood. These nucleosomes contain methylated DNA, which can be indicative of cancerous or precancerous conditions. The test uses a proprietary algorithm to assess the risk of an individual having screen-relevant neoplasia.

In a study of 1961 FIT positive individuals, researchers applied the Nu.Q™ Triage Test and compared its recommendations (colonoscopy or no colonoscopy) to actual colonoscopy findings. This allowed them to evaluate the test's accuracy in identifying low-risk individuals who could safely avoid colonoscopy.

  • The Nu.Q™ Triage test is designed to reduce un-necessary colonoscopies by ≥ 20% whilst maintaining sensitivity for CRC ≥ 90%.
  • The study utilized blinded serum samples from 1961 FIT positive individuals (>200ng/mL).
  • Circulating nucleosomes containing methylated DNA are normalized using Nu.Q™ immunoassays.
The results from the study demonstrated the potential of the Nu.Q™ Triage Test to significantly reduce the number of unnecessary colonoscopies. In the training set, the test identified a low-risk subset of 477 individuals (25%) for whom colonoscopy could be avoided while still detecting a high percentage of CRCs and High-Risk Adenomas (HRA). A potential reduction of 28.6% in colonoscopies was achieved in the validation set. The study also established high intra laboratory reproducibility.

The Future of Colorectal Cancer Screening

The Nu.Q™ Triage Test represents a promising step forward in colorectal cancer screening. By refining the selection process for colonoscopy, this test can help alleviate the strain on healthcare resources, reduce patient burden, and potentially improve overall screening effectiveness.

While further research and real-world implementation studies are needed, the initial results suggest that the Nu.Q™ Triage Test could play a significant role in optimizing colorectal cancer screening strategies. Combining a single, age-adjusted NuQ® blood score with FIT score could improve performance relative to an increased FIT threshold.

As screening programs continue to evolve, innovative approaches like the Nu.Q™ Triage Test will be essential for ensuring that resources are used efficiently and that individuals at the highest risk of colorectal cancer are identified and treated promptly. Screening throughput and overall detection of screen relevant neoplasia could therefore be increased where colonoscopy capacity is a limiting factor.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is the Nu.Q™ Triage Test, and how does it work?

The Nu.Q™ Triage Test is a blood test designed to refine the process of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. It works by analyzing circulating nucleosomes in the blood, which contain methylated DNA that can indicate cancerous or precancerous conditions. The test then uses a proprietary algorithm to assess an individual's risk of screen-relevant neoplasia, helping to identify those who may not need an immediate colonoscopy.

2

Why is the Nu.Q™ Triage Test important for colorectal cancer screening?

The significance of the Nu.Q™ Triage Test lies in its ability to reduce unnecessary colonoscopies while maintaining high accuracy in detecting colorectal cancer. Widespread adoption of stool-based screening programs has strained colonoscopy resources. Many individuals testing positive via initial screening do not have advanced adenomas or cancer. This test addresses that by refining the screening process, optimizing resource allocation, improving patient experience, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of CRC screening.

3

How does the Nu.Q™ Triage Test analyze blood samples?

The Nu.Q™ Triage Test analyzes circulating nucleosomes in the blood. These nucleosomes contain methylated DNA, which may indicate cancerous or precancerous conditions. The test employs a proprietary algorithm to assess an individual's risk of having screen-relevant neoplasia. The study examined the Nu.Q™ Triage Test with FIT positive individuals, comparing its recommendations (colonoscopy or no colonoscopy) to actual colonoscopy findings. The Nu.Q™ Triage test aims to reduce unnecessary colonoscopies by ≥ 20% while maintaining sensitivity for CRC ≥ 90%.

4

What were the key findings of the study on the Nu.Q™ Triage Test?

The study results demonstrated the potential of the Nu.Q™ Triage Test to significantly reduce unnecessary colonoscopies. It identified a low-risk subset of individuals for whom colonoscopy could be avoided while still detecting a high percentage of CRCs and High-Risk Adenomas (HRA). The test achieved a potential reduction in colonoscopies in the validation set. It also established high intra-laboratory reproducibility.

5

What are the potential implications of using the Nu.Q™ Triage Test for patients and healthcare systems?

The implications of the Nu.Q™ Triage Test are far-reaching. By refining the selection process for colonoscopy, this test can alleviate the strain on healthcare resources. This could lead to reduced waiting times for those who genuinely need colonoscopies. Furthermore, it reduces patient burden by avoiding unnecessary procedures, improving the overall screening experience. This approach contributes to more effective CRC screening, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

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