Proteomics for early detection of colorectal cancer: recent updates

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common type of cancer with a relatively poor survival rate. The survival rate of patients could be improved if CRC is detected early. Biomarkers associated with early stages of tumor development might provide useful tools for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Areas covered: Online searches using PubMed and Google Scholar were performed using keywords and with a focus on recent proteomic studies. The aim of this review is to highlight the need for biomarkers to improve the detection rate of early CRC and provide an overview of proteomic technologies used for biomarker discovery and validation. This review will also discuss recent proteomic studies which focus on identifying biomarkers associated with the early stages of CRC development.

Expert commentary: A large number of CRC biomarkers are increasingly being identified by proteomics using diverse approaches. However, the clinical relevance and introduction of these markers into clinical practice cannot be determined without a robust validation process. The size of validation cohorts remains a major limitation in many biomarker studies.

KEYWORDS:

• Biomarker
• colorectal cancer
• diagnosis
• early detection
• proteomics
• screening

Declaration of interest

A. Alnabulsi has received Ph.D funding from Vertebrate Antibodies. G.I. Murray has acted as scientific advisor to Vertebrate Antibodies. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Conflict of interest

Abdo Alnabulsi is a PhD student supported by Vertebrate Antibodies. Graeme Murray is a scientific advisor to Vertebrate Antibodies.

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Funding

This manuscript was not funded.