Can New Biomarkers Help Diagnose Cancer Earlier

Blood-based methylation markers show promise for spotting colorectal cancer early and tracking its treatment journey.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a silent killer. It's often found too late for effective treatment. What if a simple blood test could detect it early? This would avoid painful procedures. In the future, we can detect and track CRC with two strong ctDNA methylation markers: HAND2 and GPM6A. Their potential could lead to faster diagnoses, better treatment tracking, and longer lives. These markers could transform cancer care. They allow for non-invasive, early detection. They also help monitor how well treatments work().

Colorectal Cancer - Types, Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis & Prevention
Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men.

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A simple blood test may soon detect colorectal cancer with over 92% accuracy—no surgery required. #medindia #cancerresearch #ctdna #colorectalcancer #biomarkerbreakthrough

The role of ctDNA in cancer detection

Circulating tumour DNA(ctDNA) gives a non-invasive look at cancer. Doctors can spot molecular changes with just a simple blood test. HAND2 and GPM6A had clear methylation differences between cancer patients and healthy people. This suggests they might serve as early warning signs.

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What Methylation Tells Us About Treatment

After treatment, methylation levels of HAND2 and GPM6A went down. This shows that these proteins can help track treatment progress. For instance, HAND2 levels fell from 55.75% to 37.98%, showing a clear response to therapy. GPM6A also fell. However, its steady link before and after treatment might reveal disease dynamics. These shifts help monitor a patient's response. They give clinicians real-time feedback.

Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal screening is done using tests to detect blood in stool, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy ordouble contrast barium enema or CT colonography.

Diagnostic Accuracy That Stands Out

When it comes to spotting cancer early, accuracy is everything. The study’s ROC curve (Receiver Operating Characteristic curve)analysis showed that HAND2 and GPM6A together had an **Area Under the Curve(AUC) of 0.92**. This means they’re more accurate than CEA or CA19-9, which are common markers. With a dual-marker test, doctors can detect CRC with greater certainty and earlier than ever before.

Colorectal Cancer Screening with Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is a widely used endoscopic procedure to screen individuals for colorectal cancer. It is very sensitive in detecting colorectal cancers.

What the TCGA Says About Survival

Data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) showed a troubling connection. Higher methylation of HAND2 and GPM6A linked to lower survival rates. This issue is particularly evident in rectal adenocarcinoma cases. This suggests that these markers may not just diagnose cancer but also predict patient outcomes. If validated further, these findings could help doctors identify high-risk patients early and adjust their treatment plans accordingly.

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