Faecal and urinary Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)in bowel cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of faecal and urinary Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker of colorectal cancer.
IRAS ID
164287
Contact name
Alex Astor
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 29 days
Research summary
Thousands of organic compounds are found in gaseous form in human faecal and urinary samples. These are derived as byproducts of a combination of human and intestinal bacteria metabolism.
Previous research has suggested that changes in the balance of bacteria within the human gut are linked to the development of colorectal cancer.
We hypothesise that the variety and concentration of gaseous organic compounds contained within human faeces and urine will change to reflect the altered balance of bacteria within the gut of humans with potential and early stage colorectal
cancer. This will potentially allow earlier diagnosis of the condition by identifying those at risk of developing the condition, leading to earlier definitive investigation by CT scan and endoscopy. It may also help to increase the
efficiency of the faecal occult blood bowel cancer screening programme.
We propose to collect samples of faeces and urine from patients attending elective endoscopy clinics for investigation of positive faecal occult blood tests as part of the bowel cancer screening programme. Patients attending colonoscopy for iron deficiency anaemia, change in bowel habit, polyp surveillance and planned Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of polyps. We also have agreement from our surgical colleges to acquire samples from patients with a known diagnosis of bowel cancer who are awaiting surgery. These samples will be stored anonymously, with a minimum of clinical data. Gaseous compounds will be extracted from these samples and analysed for patterns comparing those with negative endoscopy, those with polyps (potentially precancerous lesions) and those with established cancer.
Once we have completed this work we also intend to perform M2PK ELISA testing on the faecal samples to investigate this method as a potential screening tool.REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SW/1162
Date of REC Opinion
21 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion