Method of diagnosing neoplasms

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a nucleic acid molecule, the RNA and protein expression profiles of which are indicative of the onset, predisposition to the onset and / or progression of a large intestine neoplasm. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a nucleic acid molecule, the expression profiles of which are indicative of the onset and / or progression of a colorectal neoplasm, such as an adenoma or an adenocarcinoma. The expression profiles of the present invention are useful in a range of applications including, but not limited to, those relating to the diagnosis and / or monitoring of colorectal neoplasms, such as colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas. Accordingly, in a related aspect the present invention is directed to a method of screening a subject for the onset, predisposition to the onset and / or progression of a large intestine neoplasm by screening for modulation in the expression profile of said nucleic acid molecule markers.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to a nucleic acid molecule, the RNA and protein expression profiles of which are indicative of the onset, predisposition to the onset and / or progression of a large intestine neoplasm. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a nucleic acid molecule, the expression profiles of which are indicative of the onset and / or progression of a colorectal neoplasm, such as an adenoma or an adenocarcinoma. The expression profiles of the present invention are useful in a range of applications including, but not limited to, those relating to the diagnosis and / or monitoring of colorectal neoplasms, such as colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas.[0002]Accordingly, in a related aspect the present invention is directed to a method of screening a subject for the onset, predisposition to the onset and / or progression of a large intestine neoplasm by screening for modulation in the expression profile of said nucleic acid m...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, this is related to size of an adenoma.

Except for the presence of adenomas and its size, none of these is objectively defined and all those other than number and size are subject to observer error and to confusion as to precise definition of the feature in question.

Because such factors can be difficult to assess and define, their value as predictors of current or future risk for cancer is imprecise.

Colonic adenomas are localised areas of dysplastic epithelium which initially involve just one or several crypts and may not protrude from the surface, but with increased growth in size, usually resulting from an imbalance in proliferation and / or apoptosis, they may protrude.

All of these descriptors, with the exception of number and size, are relatively subjective and subject to interobserver disagreement.

None except size or number is objective and all are relatively subjective and subject to interobserver disagreement.

Adenomas are generally asymptomatic, therefore rendering difficult their diagnosis and treatment at a stage prior to when they might develop invasive characteristics and so became cancer.

Some adenomas result in blood loss which might be observed or detectable in the stools; while sometimes visible by eye, it is often, when it occurs, microscopic or “occult”.

However, since blood in the stool, whether overt or occult, can also be indicative of non-adenomatous conditions, the accurate diagnosis of adenoma is rendered difficult without the application of highly invasive procedures such as colonoscopy combined with tissue acquisition by either removal (i.e. polypectomy) or biopsy and subsequent histopathological analysis.

These adenomas may be high risk, advanced or neither of these.

Furthermore, it can be difficult after colonoscopy to be certain that all adenomas have been removed, especially in a person who has had multiple adenomas.

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