Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Dream Team - Stand Up To Cancer

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SU2C–Dutch Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer
Early Detection Dream Team: Molecular Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

Grant Term: April 2015–March 2020

The SU2C–Dutch Cancer Society (DCS) Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Dream Team has set out to rework and improve the existing fecal immunochemical test (FIT) for colorectal cancer, which fails to detect approximately one-third of cancers and more than two-thirds of precancerous lesions. The team’s overarching goal is to move highly sensitive molecular testing for colorectal cancer to the next level so it can be regularly used in clinical settings.

ABOUT THIS TEAM’S RESEARCH

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third-most common cancer (after lung and breast) and the fourth-leading cause of death from cancer around the world. Patients can be effectively treated when the tumor is detected and removed early; however, colorectal cancer tends to develop without symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage.

Screening is the most effective strategy against colorectal cancer. Although testing for blood in stool (using the fecal immunochemical test, or FIT) is the standard approach, improvements are urgently needed as many cancers and precancerous lesions are missed by this test.

The SU2C–DCS Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Dream Team first aim is to improve the current FIT screening test by looking for more specific tumor-related molecules in stool samples. Its second aim is to develop a molecular blood test to help identify patients who will benefit from chemotherapy after surgery.

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