Matritech is developing a blood-based colon cancer test that detects the presence of proteins in the blood of individuals with colon cancer, and multiple and/or high-risk polyps, the precursors to colon cancer. The company intends to use these proteins as the basis for cancer tests for the early detection of people at risk, which could enable treatment before disease progression.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic are developing an assay to detect mutations in DNA in stool samples to screen for colorectal cancers and adenomas. A multicenter team of investigators developed an assay that targets highly amplifiable human DNA isolated from stool samples, a microsatellite instability marker, and mutations in the K-ras, p53 and APC oncogenes. They tested the assay in archived samples from 22 patients with colorectal cancer, 11 patients with adenomas at least 1 cm in diameter and 28 patients with normal colons. The test detected 20 of the 22 cancers, translating to a sensitivity of 91%, and the sensitivity in detecting adenomas was 82%.
Source: Gastroenterology November 2000;119:1219-1227.