Colorectal cancer molecular profiling: Opportunities for early detection

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and deadliest cancers worldwide, and incidence rates are rising. However, early detection and intervention can improve the survival rates and quality of life of affected patients. Current screening tests used to streamline patients into colonoscopy either lack test adherence or sensitivity for detecting premalignant and early-stage CRC, reducing the advantages of screening measures. Cost-effective and minimally invasive diagnostic tests which can detect immune system and metabolic changes are key to lower the incidence of CRC advanced stages. We herein discuss the statistics, risk factors and unique genetic characteristics of CRC, focussing on the importance of understanding non tumour-derived information in premalignant states for developing comprehensive techniques to achieve earlier diagnosis of CRC. Moreover, the advantages and limitations of current UK and USA screening programmes and emerging detection tools are discussed, along with prospective diagnostics such as genomics, proteomics and spectroscopy.