A Functional Genomic Approach for Screening Preneoplastic Stages of Sporadic Colon Cancer

摘要

Colon cancer is a curable disease if detected early. Microarray studies have shown that the malignant phenotype is acquired early on in colon, as in other cancers. Therefore, it becomes important to identify the molecular markers (or genes) whose expressions are implicated in early malignancy, as presented herein. Some of these genes (for example p53, Mch4 and IGFR) were shown to change their expression as they go through the various developmental stages of progression. Thus, studying the expression of these genes through the various stages of colon cancer will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of carcinogenesis. A functional genomic approach to screen for colon cancer non invasively can be employed to test for several of these genes at the seemingly early stages of crypt foci, thereby facilitating early detection. Individuals showing aberrant expression of these genotypes can then be further screened and followed more thoroughly.