Colorectal cancer program
The diagnosis of colorectal cancer could be dramatically improved with a reliable biomarker based test. Miraculins is developing a biomarker diagnostic that could ultimately be the world's first simple blood test screen for the early detection of colorectal cancer. It is designed to successfully identify colorectal cancer with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity.
Colorectal cancer is highly curable if detected early, however most people with early stages of the disease do not show any symptoms. Symptoms typically appear only after the disease is more advanced.
Screening for colorectal cancer
Screening can result in the early detection of colorectal cancer. If it is detected early, it is highly curable. The Canadian and American Cancer Societies recommend annual screening for colorectal cancer for all persons over 50 years of age. There are several tests currently used to screen for colorectal cancer. The most common is the fecal occult blood test (FOBT).
Fecal occult blood test
The FOBT is a test that detects hidden blood in the stool. Hidden blood in the stool is often the first, and in many cases the only warning sign that an individual has colorectal disease. This blood may originate from anywhere along the digestive tract and therefore may indicate other gastrointestinal problems.
Disadvantages of the FOBT include:
- Detects blood in the stool but not its cause
- False-positive results are common with some testing methods, causing patient anxiety and could lead to unnecessary further testing
- False-negative results are also common and may miss the disease in its early stages
The FOBT is not diagnostic for cancer; other follow-up procedures are required to find the source of the bleeding. Colonoscopy is generally recommended as the preferred follow-up test to a positive FOBT.
Miraculins' colorectal cancer diagnostic test
Miraculins' colorectal cancer diagnostic is currently under development. It is a simple blood test designed to detect cancer in the early stages that can be used to correctly identify cancer positives, while correctly classifying those without cancer with a sensitivity and specificity greater than the fecal occult blood test.
Our protein and peptide markers can be used to improve the information available to physicians and therefore improve the quality of treatment for these patients.
Colorectal cancer facts
- Develops in the colon or the rectum
- Usually begins as a non-cancerous polyp on the lining of the colon or the rectum, which may eventually develop into cancer
- In most people, colorectal cancers develop slowly over a period of years
- The third most common cancer diagnosed for men and women in Canada and the United States
- The second leading cause of death from cancer in Canada and the United States