GCC Blood Test for the Monitoring of Colorectal Cancer Recurrence

Another critical component of colorectal cancer care is post-surgical monitoring for cancer recurrence. After surgery and treatment, physicians typically monitor patients for evidence of recurrence for up to 5 years.

Traditionally, physicians have relied on a blood test, scheduled at regular intervals, to measure levels of a protein called carcinoembryonic antigen (“CEA”). However, CEA is limited as a marker for colon cancer, detecting less than 60%[1] of recurrent tumors. It also has a high false positive rate and is influenced by some nonmalignant conditions such as cirrhosis, ulcerative colitis and even smoking. In addition, elevated CEA is associated with a number of tumors other than colorectal such as breast, pancreas and bladder.

Early studies have indicated that the presence of GCC in the blood may be an early indicator of micrometastases that would otherwise escape detection by the current standard methods of monitoring. Earlier detection provides an opportunity for more immediate treatment or surgical intervention to potentially improve patient outcomes and survival rates. Regular surveillance over a five-year period is critical since colorectal cancer has a recurrence rate of 50%[2].

DiagnoCure is pursuing validation of the potential of a GCC blood test for the monitoring of colorectal cancer.

[1] Mc Call JL et al., The value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen in predicting recurrent disease following curative resection for colorectal cancer. Dis Colon Rectum 1994; 39: 875-881

[2] Bustin et al., Real-time reverse transcription PCR and the detection of occult disease in colorectal cancer, Elsevier Ltd. 2005