Non-invasive blood test for colon cancer

BALTIMORE, Oct 24, 2005 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Researchers in Baltimore, Md., have developed a blood test that detects and quantifies mutations in colon cancer genes at early disease stages.

While many cancers, including those of the colon, are curable if found early, the lack of sensitive, non-invasive screening tools for early stage cancers has limited progress in that area.

To develop a non-invasive blood test for colon cancer-associated genes, Bert Vogelstein and colleagues at Johns Hopkins University modified a technique they previously developed to measure minute quantities of mutant DNA molecules in blood plasma.

Using that technique, the researchers found elevated levels of mutated adenomatous polyposis coli gene in the plasma of patients with advanced-stage colorectal cancers. Mutant genes also were detected in more than 60 percent of patients with early-stage cancers.

Scientists say the results may provide a foundation for a colon cancer screening tool for pre-symptomatic, at-risk populations and might also be adapted for several other cancer types for which there are no pre-symptomatic screening tests available.

The research appears in the online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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