Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the Western world with 4400 deaths per year in the Netherlands . Secondary prevention is the most realistic approach for reducing this high number of CRC deaths. Current possibilities for CRC screening include detection of known genetic alterations and occult blood testing in stool samples (first body excretion where colorectal tumours can be detected). However, these tests still need improvement as they are either not sensitive enough or too laborious to translate into population screening tests. We have recently identified a number of additional genetic alterations specifically associated with high risk adenoma to carcinoma progression. Subsequently, we are developing a set of specific markers based on these alterations and are testing them in tumour and stool samples from patients with colorectal cancer.
The aim of this research proposal is to develop the optimal faeces DNA test for colorectal cancer based on novel DNA markers identified in our lab.

Plan of work

• Identification and development of specific DNA markers in colorectal cancer lesions (design and production of  MLPA probes)
• Test of the DNA markers in patients' material (DNA isolation from paraffin, DNA isolation from faeces, multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA), MLPA data analysis, statistical analysis to discriminate the best set of markers)
• Determine the performance of the selected markers in a case control study by comparing it with the current screening test, faecal occult blood testing (FOBT).

Duration

6 months

More information

For more onformation please contact dr. R.J.A. Fijneman