Biomarkers Discovered for Bowel Cancer Blood Test

Genes have been discovered that show identifiable changes in the blood of people with bowel cancer and has the potential to be used in a blood test.

The cost-effective blood test could possibly save thousands of lives by supplementing existing screening programs and encouraging those at risk to have a colonoscopy.

Australian scientists created the innovative blood test for bowel cancer based on discoveries now under development and the assay is currently being tested with patients from Australia, the United States, and Europe. The test is the result of collaboration between the biotechnology company Clinical Genomics (North Ryde, NSW, Australia) and Flinders University (Adelaide, SA, Australia).

One new gene identified was particularly sensitive to cancer. This gene is called colon adenocarcinoma hypermethylated or CAHM. In 120 blood samples observed, a high 68% positivity for cancers, while still being accurate in 97% of normal patients. The scientists have also shown that a three gene test including CAHM was able to detect cancer 76% of the time with 93% accuracy in normal patients.

Graeme Young, MD, the senior investigator, said, "One of the key questions is how a test like this might complement existing screening efforts in a cost-effective way to save even more lives in the future. The need now is to collaborate more broadly with national and international researchers committed to translation of science innovation to clinical outcomes, to help validate these exciting findings in large scale prospective studies." The study was also supported by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO; Clayton South VIC Australia).

Lawrence LaPointe, PhD, Chief Executive Officer Clinical Genomics, said, "We have shown a high detection rate for bowel cancer while also demonstrating a false-positive rate of about 5% in samples drawn from a high-risk population. These clinical trial results are highly promising but we need to go one-step at a time. The next step is to seek help from other groups and researchers to cast the net more broadly to see what we can achieve with a larger number of tests drawn from a sample of the general population.” The study was presented on May 20, 2012, at the Digestive Diseases Week, held in San Diego (CA, USA).

Related Links:
Clinical Genomics
Flinders University