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Biomarkers correlate with colon cancer and risks: a preliminary study
Shan Lu1, Yanek S Y Chiu, Andrew P Smith
1California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California 94107, USA.
Diseases of the Colon and Rectum
|May 1, 2009
Summary
Rectal swabs can effectively identify colon cancer and at-risk individuals by analyzing gene expression, similar to invasive biopsies. This offers a convenient new method for colon cancer screening.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Gene expression analysis of colonic biopsies can identify individuals with colon cancer or at risk.
- Previous studies established the efficacy of biopsy-based gene expression profiling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if noninvasively collected rectal swabs can effectively identify individuals with colon cancer or at risk.
- To compare the efficacy of rectal swabs versus traditional biopsies for gene expression analysis in colon cancer screening.
Main Methods:
- Rectal mucosa cells were collected using noninvasive swabs.
- Gene expression profiles of rectal swabs were compared to those obtained from colonoscopic biopsies.
- Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of 16 genes.
Main Results:
- Gene expression profiles from rectal swabs showed similar results to those from biopsies.
- Individuals with colon cancer or at risk exhibited altered gene expression profiles compared to controls.
- All 12 cancer patients demonstrated altered gene expression relative to the control group's mean.
Conclusions:
- Gene expression analysis of rectal swabs is a viable and effective method for colon cancer screening.
- Rectal swabs offer a convenient, noninvasive alternative to biopsies for detecting colon cancer and identifying at-risk individuals.
