OPLAH Gene Differential Methylation Region for Stool-Based Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current colorectal cancer screening methods, such as colonoscopy, fecal occult blood test, and tumor markers, are invasive, have low compliance, or suffer from false positives/negatives, necessitating a more accurate, simple, and economical early screening method.
Innovation Solution
Utilization of the differentially methylated region (DMR) of the OPLAH gene, specifically chr8: 145106171-145107467, for detecting colorectal cancer or precancerous lesions, using a kit comprising primers and probes for methylation analysis in stool samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If colonoscopy is used for colorectal cancer screening, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but patient compliance deteriorates due to invasive procedure and complex preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive colonoscopy procedure with a molecular biology-based detection system that analyzes DNA methylation patterns in fecal samples. This substitution eliminates the need for physical insertion of instruments into the colon while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through epigenetic marker detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fecal DNA as an intermediary medium that carries colorectal cancer-related methylation information from the tumor site to the external environment. This intermediary allows indirect detection of colorectal cancer through non-invasive fecal sample collection, bridging the gap between tumor tissue and external sampling.
2Ease of operation
If fecal occult blood test is used for colorectal cancer screening, then patient compliance is improved due to non-invasive method, but diagnostic accuracy deteriorates due to false positives and low sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from blood components (hemoglobin) to epigenetic parameters (DNA methylation patterns). This parameter change transforms the detection target from proteins that are easily affected by diet to stable epigenetic markers that provide more accurate cancer-specific information, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy while maintaining non-invasive sampling.
3Ease of operation
If traditional tumor markers CEA and CA19-9 are used for colorectal cancer screening, then ease of operation is improved, but diagnostic accuracy deteriorates due to low specificity and high false positives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broad-spectrum tumor marker detection into specific gene-targeted methylation detection. Instead of measuring general tumor markers that lack specificity, the method divides the detection into targeted analysis of methylation patterns at specific CpG sites within colorectal cancer-related genes, thereby achieving high specificity while maintaining operational simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The DMR of the OPLAH gene provides high sensitivity and specificity for colorectal cancer detection and risk assessment, enabling rapid, non-invasive screening with high accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
DNA methylation is an important gene expression regulation mechanism that can regulate gene expression and silencing, and has a significant impact on the occurrence and development of tumors. Abnormal methylation of cancer-related genes often occurs in the early stages of cancer, so DNA methylation signals are considered to be potential early screening markers for tumors.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application discloses a differential methylation region of the OPLAH gene, a kit, and use. Specifically, the differential methylation region is chr8:145106171-145107467. The differential methylation region of the present application can be used for effectively detecting colorectal cancer or precancerous lesions of colorectal cancer, or evaluating prognostic risks to colorectal cancer patients.