Tumor Markers Found for Colon Cancer

Researchers using high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis have compared the composition of the nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs) in the nucleus of normal and cancerous liver cells and have identified three proteins present in all liver metastases not present in normal liver tissue and normal hepatocytes. Their findings were published in the October 2002 issue of Clinical Cancer Research.

In a search for specific tumor markers for colon cancer, the investigators from the University of Pittsburgh (PA, USA; www.pitt.edu) analyzed NMPs from cancerous tissue in the liver that had arisen as the result of the spread of colon cancer. Analysis of multiple gels for each sample revealed three proteins present in all liver metastases that were not present in normal liver tissue. These three proteins were also present in colon cancer samples.

"Identifying a specific and sensitive tumor marker that would allow reliable early detection of colon cancer and predict the potential for the cancer to spread or recur would be of great benefit to patients,” explained senior author Dr. Robert Getzenberg, associate professor of urology, pathology and pharmacology at the University of Pittsburgh. "Early diagnosis of recurrent colon cancer is critical to effective treatment of the disease. However, colon cancer metastases are very difficult to pick up early. Thirty-five to 40% of all patients with colon cancer have recurrent disease and the majority of these patients cannot be cured and will eventually die.”



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