A Simple Blood Test for Colon Cancer

November 21, 2008

People are often reluctant to undergo a routine but painful colonoscopy ― but the consequences can be fatal. According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer is the third most common cancer found in American men and women and kills about 50,000 Americans every year.

"85% of those who develop colon cancer have no symptoms or family history," says Prof. Nadir Arber, a professor of medicine and gastroenterology, at Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine. "Generally speaking, it's much harder to get these people to comply with taking the test."

To convince more people to undergo the potentially life-saving colonoscopy, Prof. Arber has developed a simple early-warning test that can detect colon cancer in the blood. Using biomarkers, it is the first test on the market that can detect cells of colon polyps the precursors to colon cancer in the blood, with a very high degree of sensitivity and accuracy.

This painless, non-invasive and inexpensive test could very well be a breakthrough of the decade.

An Attractive Diagnostic Step

"If we can identify those who are prone to cancer through a less invasive test, we can convince them to do the colonoscopy," leading to earlier detection and treatment, says Prof. Arber, who heads the Integrated Cancer Prevention Center at the Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center.

Now being prepared for the market by Bio Mark Ltd., a subsidiary of Micromedic Technologies Ltd., Prof. Arber's "CD24" test could begin to save thousands of Americans' lives by as early as 2010. With the test, doctors can catch polyp growth in the colon in 80% of patients.

The American Cancer Society suggests that all Americans over the age of 50 receive periodic colonoscopies. With Prof. Arber's test, doctors will be able to screen patients for colon cancer quickly and easily as part of a routine blood test. While not 100% accurate, it will provide a convincing argument for patients to undergo the colonoscopy, and then polyp removal, if necessary.

The novel invention is based on testing CD24, the oncogene for colorectal cancer. It utilizes the fact that polyps in the colon emit biomarkers, which can be detected in the blood at very low levels. Recent studies show that the test can correctly identify adenomas, the polyps that convert to colon cancer, at a success rate of more than 80%.

Some patients forego colonoscopy not just out of fear or distaste, but due to its high cost. Here, too, the breakthrough is significant. While traditional colonoscopies cost about about $1,500 per test, Prof. Arber's procedure is expected to cost much less ― $50 to $100 per test.

Prevention Is Still the Best Medicine

Prof. Arber recommends a number of preventative steps against colon cancer, especially by those at risk. "There are some lifestyle choices people can make to prevent malignancies," he says. "Eating well, exercise, and avoiding smoking and drinking are very important."

Prof. Arber is also working on a drug that prevents the growth of polyps in the colon.

American Friends of Tel Aviv University

---

---

	American Cancer Society's Complete Guide to Colorectal Cancer by American Cancer Society (Author), Bernard Levin (Editor), Terri Ades (Editor), Katie Couric (Editor) Created by a prestigious panel of experts, this new book offers comprehensive coverage of colorectal cancer, the second most prevalent form of cancer in the world, which, with proper screening, is almost entirely preventable. It provides up-to-date, essential information about the disease, including prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment options, complementary and alternative therapies, coping, living well with cancer, caregiving, and much more. Throughout the text real cancer survivors offer their experience dealing with this disease, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
	ABC of Colorectal Cancer (ABC Series) by Annie Young (Editor), Richard Hobbs (Editor), David Kerr (Editor) Colorectal cancer is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in which prevention, screening and early detection are vital. Beginning with the patient perspective and following the patient pathway, this new second edition covers epidemiology and prevention, screening programmes, decision support networks, the role of primary care, and supportive care for patients with colorectal cancer.The ABC of Colorectal Cancer provides the core knowledge on clinical genetics, diagnosis, imaging, therapy and surgery options and the latest evidence based guidelines for treating and managing colorectal cancer patients within the multidisciplinary team. Highly illustrated and accessible, it covers the full spectrum of the disease to provide the basis to make a real difference to clinical management.This...
	On The Far Side of The Curve: A Stage IV Colon Cancer Survivor's Journey by Wayne Cooke (Author), Dr. Peter I. Yi MD (Foreword) On the Far Side of the Curve: A Stage IV Colon Cancer Survivor’s Journey is cancer survivor Wayne Cooke’s dramatic and comprehensive book about overcoming the odds—making it to the far side of the survival curve—moving on with his life, and his easy-to-follow lessons for coping…and surviving. Following a Stage IV colon cancer diagnosis, the author underwent three major surgeries and more than seventy cycles of chemo and infusional therapy. Six years later, he is sharing the lessons, coping techniques, wisdom, humor, and enthusiasm that supported him throughout his lengthy treatment. Whether one is diagnosed with colon cancer or another type of cancer, patients, caregivers, family, and friends will benefit from the lessons described in this book. From the vital role played by...
	What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM) Colorectal Cancer: New Tests, New Treatments, New Hope by Mark Bennett Pochapin (Author) - What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Colorectal Cancer was published in Warner hardcover (0-446-53188-X) in 3/04. The book features a foreword by Katie Couric. - Dr. Pochapin made an appearance on the Today show in conjunction with the hardcover publication of this book. Previously, he had been chosen by Katie Couric to be the Medical Director of the Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health, named in honor of Ms. Couric's late husband. - The author is an associate professor of clinical medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Chief of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy at New York Presbyterian Hospital's Weill Cornell Medical Center. - There are approximately 100,000 new colorectal cancer cases diagnosed annually, making it the second leading cause of...
	Positive Options for Colorectal Cancer: Self-Help and Treatment by Carol Ann Larson (Author), Kathleen Ogle (Foreword) Colorectal cancer develops slowly over a period of several years, undetected, usually as polyps. It is a preventable and treatable disease if caught in time, yet most know little about how to read its symptoms. Written for the layperson, this book covers all the uncomfortable questions and answers about the disease, from prevention and warning signs, to screening and diagnosis techniques, to making decisions and developing treatment plans. Also included are positive stories about life after cancer by 12 survivors.
	Colon & Rectal Cancer: From Diagnosis to Treatment by Paul Ruggieri MD (Author), Addison R. Tolentino MD (Author) This handy, reassuring guide helps recently diagnosed patients answer pressing questions, such as How far advanced is the disease? What tests are involved? and What treatments will be recommended? and understand the often confusing and intimidating medical jargon. In addition, this fully updated second edition is a quick, reliable reference to the most current procedures and treatment options. Among these are the increasingly popular trend of using chemotherapy and radiation prior to surgery, targeted therapies involving newer drugs that limit their focus to the cancer cells, the use of laparoscopic surgery, and latest approaches in radiation therapy and chemotherapy drugs. This work also reviews symptoms and risk factors for colon cancer, how the disease may be prevented, and pros and...
	Be a Survivor Colorectal Cancer Treatment Guide by Vladimir Lange (Author) Dr. Lange’s comprehensive overview of cancer and treatment options offers detailed information using simple, concise language and a wide variety of color photos and drawings. Colorectal cancer patients need to know more about their disease, yet there is an overload of information. Be a Survivor gives the patient the specific, reliable and necessary information to make good decisions about their cancer and treatment options. Annually, 150,000 Americans are told they have colorectal cancer, making it one of the top three most common cancers in the United States. Diagnosed early, colorectal cancer is treatable, often curable, and vey preventable. This resource covers all aspects of colorectal cancer—from diagnosis to recovery, including a chapter for the patient's spouse.
	Colon Cancer : Holistic Approach This piece of writing is all about colon cancer. It explains things such as what exactly is the disease, its signs and symptoms, and several risk factors or causes. One would also be able to learn more regarding traditional modes of colon cancer treatments as well as a variety of alternative or complementary therapies to fight or at least augment the conventional cures. Discovering Colon Cancer aims to help everybody to try and combat this condition by imparting valuable facts and information.
	The Cancer Survivor's Guide: Foods That Help You Fight Back by Neal Barnard (Author), Jennifer K. Reilly (Author) The Cancer Survivor's Guide explains how foods influence the hormones that fuel cancer and how a dietary change to a low-fat, plant-based diet can be beneficial to anyone diagnosed with cancer. Each section describes specific nutrients and how they work in your body, which foods are the best sources, recommended recipes, and offers simple, practical steps you can take during the week to increase consumption of these foods. Includes over 60 pages of recipes for satisfying and flavorful meals to help implement the recommendations.
	Living with Colon Cancer: Beating the Odds by Eliza Wood Livingston (Author), David Spiegel (Foreword) Despite the efforts of Katie Couric to draw attention to the importance of colonoscopy screening for the detection of colon cancer, this cancer still does not receive the publicity devoted to breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Yet colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy in the world and is the second leading cause of death from cancer next to lung cancer. As a result of the silence surrounding this disease, colon cancer patients and their families can feel isolated, without the support and information networks available to those coping with more publicised illnesses. In this helpful and inspiring book, Eliza Wood Livingston provides a wealth of practical information about colon cancer while telling of her own heroic battle against this challenging disease and her survival...