Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (which includes cancer of the colon, rectum, anus, and appendix) is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Only lung cancer claims more lives. It is predicted that, in 2002, nearly 140,000 Americans will have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, with 56,000 deaths from the disease.

It has been suggested that rates could be cut by over 50% if routine screening of those over 50 years of age was available. Currently, there are no simple blood tests for colorectal cancer.

Proteome Sciences has analysed the differential protein expression patterns of colorectal tumours and identified a number of protein biomarkers involved in the early stages of cancer and which may be used in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.