Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common epithelial malignancy in the world. Since CRC develops slowly from removable precancerous lesions, detection of the lesion at an early stage by regular health examinations can reduce the incidence and mortality of this malignancy. Colonoscopy significantly improves the detection rate of CRC, but the examination is expensive and inconvenient. Therefore, we need novel biomarkers that are non-invasive to enable us to detect CRC quite early. A number of validation studies have been conducted to evaluate genetic, epigenetic or protein markers for identification in the stool and/or serum. Currently, the fecal occult blood test is the most widely used method of screening for CRC. However, advances in genomics and proteomics will lead to the discovery of novel non-invasive biomarkers.
Highlights
Samples, 317 healthy control samples, and 87 samples from patients with benign large bowel diseases revealed that the diagnostic accuracy of proteasome activator complex subunit 3 (PSME3) was similar to that of Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and that nicotinamide N-methyl-transferase (NNMT) was better than CEA at detecting Colorectal cancer (CRC)
We provide an overview of the current and emerging tools involved in genomic studies, including expression arrays, microRNA arrays, array CGH, ChIP-on-chip, methylation arrays, mutation analysis, genome-wide association studies, proteomic analysis, integrated functional genomic analysis and related bioinformatic and biostatistical analyses [43]
Cancer biomarkers and characteristics of an ideal biomarker for CRC are discussed in this review, as well as technologies for their detection
Summary
Recent studies have shown that shifting the detection of the disease to an earlier stage via mass screening and intervening at early stage can reduce the risk of death from CRC [3,4] These findings suggest the clinical need for biomarkers for early detection of CRC. Novel CRC biomarkers that will further enhance the detection of the disease and trigger follow-up colonoscopies when necessary should be developed In addition to such detection biomarkers, prognostic markers which can predict the likely course of the cancer, stratification markers which can predict the likely response to drugs prior to beginning treatment, and efficacy markers which can monitor the efficacy of drugs treatment may reduce the mortality rate of CRC. We will focus on potential non-biomarkers which have recently been discovered and non-invasive biomarkers which are currently being used in clinical settings (Table 2)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
