Open AccessFecal DNA testing for colorectal cancer screening: Molecular targets and perspectives
Author(s) -
Amaninder J. Dhaliwal,
Panagiotis J. Vlachostergios,
Katerina Oikonomou,
Yitzchak Moshenyat
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
world journal of gastrointestinal oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1948-5204
DOI - 10.4251/wjgo.v7.i10.178
Subject(s) - colorectal cancer , medicine , colorectal cancer screening , carcinogenesis , cancer , intensive care medicine , computational biology , bioinformatics , oncology , colonoscopy , biology
The early detection of colorectal cancer with effective screening is essential for reduction of cancer-specific mortality. The addition of fecal DNA testing in the armamentarium of screening methods already in clinical use launches a new era in the noninvasive part of colorectal cancer screening and emanates from a large number of previous and ongoing clinical investigations and technological advancements. In this review, we discuss the molecular rational and most important genetic alterations hallmarking the early colorectal carcinogenesis process. Also, representative DNA targets-markers and key aspects of their testing at the clinical level in comparison or/and association with other screening methods are described. Finally, a critical view of the strengths and limitations of fecal DNA tests is provided, along with anticipated barriers and suggestions for further exploitation of their use.