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HONG KONG, July 28, 2021 / PRNewswire / – The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is commonly used to screen for colorectal cancer, but it has low sensitivity (around 50%) for early detection of cancer and fails to detect polyps. The Faculty of Medicine of Chinese University of Hong Kong (CU Medicine) has developed the world’s first test for “bacterial genetic markers” (M3) in feces, based on metagenomic analysis of more than 1,100 cancer subjects. The sensitivity of this non-invasive test is 94% for the detection of colorectal cancer, which is comparable to that of a colonoscopy. The test can also accurately detect the recurrence of polyps with a sensitivity of over 90%. It is the first test to offer a non-invasive approach to detect polyp recurrence. The new test can save patients an unnecessary colonoscopy, reducing the risk of invasive tests and pressure on medical services. Colon Cancer Early Detection Research Results Published in High Impact International Medical Journal Intestine.
Early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer improves survival
According to statistics from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry for colorectal cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2017, the 5-year survival rate of patients with stage I colorectal cancer was 96%, but it has dropped dramatically at less by 10% when patients were diagnosed at stage IV. Early diagnosis and treatment of cancers is associated with a favorable prognosis. Since most colorectal cancers arise from polyps, detecting and removing polyps early can prevent cancer from developing.
Main gaps in current screening tools for colorectal cancer and polyps
Current colorectal cancer screening tools have two major shortcomings. First, FIT cannot accurately detect early colorectal cancer with less than 50% sensitivity and high false negative rate. Second, there is no non-invasive tool for detecting recurrent polyps. These patients should undergo regular monitoring colonoscopy to detect recurrence of polyps. The inconvenience and discomfort of repeated colonoscopies deters many people from taking the exam. It also adds a huge demand to the existing burden for colonoscopy services.
Bacterial genetic marker testing has the potential to improve the efficiency of colorectal cancer screening
Using data from metagenomic sequencing, the CU Medicine research team identified a group of four unique bacterial DNA markers, known as M3, that are effective in detecting colorectal cancer. Through analysis of stool samples from over 1,100 participants, including people with colorectal cancer and polyps, the M3 CRC has shown a sensitivity of 94% in detecting colorectal cancer. The sensitivity of M3 is comparable to that of colonoscopy for cancer detection (94%) and replaces that of FIT for early detection of cancer (50%) and polyps (<10%).
The research team also tested the accuracy of M3 in detecting recurrent polyps. They followed more than 200 subjects who had undergone polyp resection within 5 years. They found that subjects who developed polyp recurrence had higher levels of M3 in their stool samples than those without recurrence. Using their new proprietary detection algorithms, the M3 CRC test has shown remarkable sensitivity of over 90% for detecting polyp recurrence.
Professor Jun YU, The professor in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, CU Medicine, pointed out, “The M3 CRC test is the result of the hard work of our research team for over a decade. We have successfully identified novel fecal bacterial markers capable of accurately detecting colorectal cancer and polyps which can now serve as a non-invasive tool for many patients and their families. ” Professor Jessie Qiao Yi LIANG, Associate Research Professor in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics at CU Medicine, added: “Our recent study further showed that the clinical application of M3 is not limited to the detection of cancer, but can also be applied to predict the recurrence of polyps. With this new innovation, we hope that the number of unnecessary colonoscopies can be reduced. “
Professor Siew Chien NG, associate director of the Center for Gut Microbiota Research at CU Medicine, said, “This discovery is based on our unique metagenomic dataset of thousands of subjects. The data is reproducible and has the potential to be applied globally. clinic or hospital visits, this test requires only a small stool sample and can be done at home. Testing for bacterial genetic markers can detect cancer at an early stage, when it can be cured. We’re excited to announce that it can also detect polyps, making colorectal cancer prevention a reality.. “
Professor Francis KL CHAN, Dean of Medicine and Director of the Gut Microbiota Research Center at CU Medicine, saw this new innovation as an excellent example of successful translational research whereby scientific findings can be turned into a clinical screening tool. He noted, “Worldwide, approximately 2,800 million people are eligible for colorectal cancer screening. The potential of bacterial genetic markers is enormous. whole.”
SOURCE The Faculty of Medicine of Chinese University of Hong Kong
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