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Plasma or Serum Marker and Process for Detection of Cancer

Summary

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and the number of new CRC cases has been increasing rapidly since 1975. While 70% of CRC cases develop from sporadic adenomas or adenomatous polyps, early detection or surgical removal of polyps is believed to be one of the most effective preventive measures. However, traditional screening methods are invasive, costly of low predictive value or could result in low detection rates.

A new, single but effective method is invented for detection of cancer, even at early stage. It provides a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based process in the detection of serum or plasma marker RNA and DNA related to ß-catenin, which are differentially present in blood of normal, and pre-malignant or tumor-bearing patients. Accumulation of cytoplasmic and nuclear ß-catenin signaling is tightly associated with the genesis of a wide variety of tumors and has been implicated in the oncogenesis of colorectal cancer and other types of cancer.

The process comprises detecting blood serum or plasma RNA and/or DNA as a tool in the diagnosis, early detection, monitoring, treatment and population screening of neoplastic diseases at various progression and clinical stages. With an amount of blood sample as small as 2-5ml, this method already provides an effective and accurate test for colorectal and other types of cancer. Such a test can also be applied to other plasma or serum RNA and DNA that are encoded for ß-catenin associated proteins. It is also non-invasive and the accessibility of sample collections and sensitivity can be improved.

Technology Benefits

1. The marker is differentially present in blood of normal, and pre-malignant or tumor-bearing patients
2. The method has the capacity to detect polyps (a pre-malignant growth) can be as small as 4mm in diameter
3. The amount of blood sample required is small (2-5ml) and sample collection is through non-invasive, normal blood-drawing procedure
4. Low cost - reagent cost per test is around HK$30.

Technology Application

- Eearly detection, diagnosis monitoring and population screening for cancer

Supplementary Information

Patent Number: HK1079795A1
Application Number: HK2006102516A
Inventor: HSIAO WEN-LAUN WENDY | CESAR WONG SZE-CHUEN
Priority Date: 28 Jun 2002
Priority Number: HK1079795A1
Application Date: 24 Feb 2006
Publication Date: 26 Jun 2009
IPC Current: C07H002104 | C12Q000168
Assignee Applicant: The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
Title: PLASMA OR SERUM MARKER AND PROCESS FOR DETECTION OF CANCER
Usefulness: PLASMA OR SERUM MARKER AND PROCESS FOR DETECTION OF CANCER

Industry

Disease Diagnostic/Treatment

Sub Category

Cancer/Tumor

Application Date

24 Feb 2006

Application No.

Hong Kong 06102516.5

Patent Information

Hong Kong HK1079795

ID No.

TTC.PA.169

Country/Region

Hong Kong