[A new screening method for colorectal cancer as a replacement for the hemoccult blood test]

A new screening test to detect a colorectal (CR) cancer (Shamsuddin, 1988) is reviewed. This test (Shams' test) is based on enzymatic detection of beta-D-Gal(1----3)-D-GalNAc (T-antigen) in the CR mucin. The sample and the reagent for this test are stable, the reaction process is simple, and the result is accurate and well reproducible. In contrast to the immunologically-detected fecal occult blood test, the sensitivity and specificity for CR cancers are surprisingly high, the percentage values in using the Shams test having been found to be 100% and 93.1%, respectively (Shamsuddin). In our pilot study using Japanese patients, the sensitivity was more than 80%. In view of these findings, the Shams' test can be considered a suitable replacement for the presently used immunological fecal occult blood test in screening CR cancers.