Methods and materials for detecting colorectal neoplasm

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and materials related to the detection of colorectal neoplasm-specific markers in or associated with a subject's stool sample. In particular, the present invention provides methods and materials for identifying mammals having a colorectal neoplasm by detecting the presence of exfoliated epithelial markers (e.g., human DNA, tumor associated gene alterations, tumor associated proteins) and blood markers (e.g., homoglobin, serum proteins) in a stool sample obtained from the mammal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 318,077, filed Mar. 26, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention provides methods and materials related to the detection of colorectal neoplasm-specific markers in or associated with a subject's stool sample. In particular, the present invention provides methods and materials for identifying mammals having a colorectal neoplasm by detecting the presence of exfoliated epithelial markers (e.g., human DNA, tumor associated gene alterations, tumor associated proteins) and blood markers (e.g., homoglobin, serum proteins) in a stool sample obtained from the mammal.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of death among the types of cancer (see, e.g., Jemal A, et al., CA Cancer J. Clin. 2007, 57:43-66; herein incorporated by reference in i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods for obtaining a subject's risk profile for developing colorectal cancer. In some embodiments, such methods involve obtaining a stool sample from a subject (e.g., a human at risk for developing colorectal cancer; a human undergoing a routine physical examination), detecting the presence or absence of one or more exfoliated epithelial markers specific for a colorectal neoplasm in or associated with the stool sample, detecting the presence or absence of one or more fecal occult blood markers (e.g., specific for a colorectal neoplasm) in or associated with the stool sample, and generating a risk profile for developing colorectal cancer based upon the detected presence or absence of the exfoliated epithelial markers and fecal occult blood markers. For example, in some embodiments, a generated risk profile will change depending upon specific exfoliated epithelial markers and fecal occult blood markers detected as present or absent. The present invention is not limited to a particular manner of generating the risk profile. In some embodiments, a processor (e.g., computer) is used to generate such a risk profile. In some embodiments, the processor uses an algorithm (e.g., software) specific for interpreting the presence and absence of specific exfoliated e

Problems solved by technology

In some embodiments, such methods involve obtaining a stool sample from a subject (e.g., a human at risk for developing colorectal cancer; a human undergoing a routine physical examination), detecting the presence or absence of one or more exfoliated epithelial markers specific for a colorectal neoplasm in or associated with the stool sample, detecting the presence or absence of one or more fecal occult blood markers (e.g., specific for a colorectal neoplasm) in or associated with the stool sample, and generating a risk profile for developing colorectal cancer based upon the detected presence or absence of the exfoliated epithelial markers and fecal occult blood markers.

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