Non-invasive test for early colorectal cancer diagnosis from biomarkers in platelets

Important results from the project

The project started from earlier positive indications about a biomarker panel for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The biomarker panel should be validated and a first ELISA-test to be made. The results from the study was evaluated by 3 independent parties. The results were ~ 70/70 % in specificity and sensitivity respectively. The target was to reach above 80% in order to be able to a stand-alone diagnostic product. The inventors will now after the project look at other methods to validate the hypothesis behind the project.

Expected long term effects

The goal of the project was to develop a first ELISA-based test for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer. A product was to be developedc if the reusult would be above 80/80% in sensitivity and specificity respectively. This target was unfortunately not reached. That then lead to the fact that the project had to be stopped. Now the inventors under the lead of Prof Gert Auer will try to validate a panel of biomarkers using alternative methods together with new academic partners.

Approach and implementation

The studyplan was based on collecting well defined samples at the Karolinska Hospital. Patient groups were early and late cancer, inflammatory bowel and healthy. Platelets was isolated from the drawn blood samples. Samples were analyzed using DigiWest at NMI, Tübingen, Germany. Resulats were evaluated by 3 independent parties. Methods used were PCA, OPLS-DA, Logistic Regression and LASSO. The results were coherent in their individual answers. All methods used throughout the study were validated.