Potential of faecal RNA in diagnosing colorectal cancer

Yang, Shung-Haur; Chien, Chih-Cheng; Chen, Chan-Wei; Li, Shih-Yun; Huang, Chi-Jung

doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2004.11.005

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Volume 226, Issue 1 , Pages 55-63, 8 August 2005

Potential of faecal RNA in diagnosing colorectal cancer

Shung-Haur Yang
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No 201, Sec 2, Shih-Pai Rd 11217, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Institude of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No 155, Sec 2, Li-Nong St 11221,Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Both authors contributed equally to this work.
Chih-Cheng Chien
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Cathay Medical Research Institute, Cathay General Hospital, No 32, Ln 160, Jian-Cheng Rd, Hsi-Chih, Taipei, 22141, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, No 510 Chung-Cheng Rd, Hsinchuang, Taipei, 24205, Taiwan, ROC
- Both authors contributed equally to this work.
Chan-Wei Chen
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Laboratory, Cathay Medical Research Institute, Cathay General Hospital, No 32, Ln 160, Jian-Cheng Rd, Hsi-Chih, Taipei, 22141, Taiwan, ROC
Shih-Yun Li
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No 201, Sec 2, Shih-Pai Rd 11217, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
Chi-Jung Huang
- Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Laboratory, Cathay Medical Research Institute, Cathay General Hospital, No 32, Ln 160, Jian-Cheng Rd, Hsi-Chih, Taipei, 22141, Taiwan, ROC
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +886 2 26907965; fax: +886 2 26907963.

Received 12 October 2004; received in revised form 1 November 2004; accepted 2 November 2004.

Abstract

Early diagnosis for colorectal cancer (CRC) by monitoring of gastrointestinal epithelial cells is a possible direct approach. Although human faeces form a heterogeneous mixture of gastrointestinal mucosal epithelial cells and other materials, we have developed a method to purify total RNA from human stool samples. The gene for faecal cytokeratin 19 (CK19) was highly expressed in stools from patients with metastatic CRC, but not from patients with non-metastatic CRC or from normal individuals. Thus, purified faecal RNA can be used for the detection of differentially expressed genes. This technique may help identifying meaningful faecal RNA markers for the non-invasive screening of patients with CRC.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer, Cytokeratin 19, Faecal total RNA, Differential expressed genes