Improving patient experience and outcomes in bowel cancer screening
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving patient experience and outcomes in bowel cancer screening.
IRAS ID
281905
Contact name
Philip Quirke
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds, Head of Research Integrity and Governance
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Bowel cancer is the second most deadly cancer in the UK, killing on average 16,000 people each year. Cancer occurs as a result of changes, or ‘mutations’, in the DNA within cells. Currently, if a patient undergoes a biopsy or if the whole tumour is surgically removed (resection), this tissue can be tested for the presence of mutations.
Tumours release tiny amounts of DNA and cells into the blood and stool, which can also be tested for the presence of mutations. Being able to detect these mutations will improve our ability to screen for the presence of cancer, provide information about a patient’s diagnosis and determine which treatment options are best for each patient.
We have the opportunity to collaborate with two industrial partners to improve both the isolation of cancer cells from blood and stool samples and also the screening of these cells for the presence of mutations.
Mikro Biyo have developed a novel technology which separates out circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and potentially circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) from patient blood samples. The benefits of this technique are the sensitivity and also the speed with which the blood can be processed.
Genefirst have developed “ATOM-seq”, a super-sensitive technology, allowing the processing and sequencing of tiny amounts of the tumour DNA from patient blood and stool samples, to identify mutations. This novel technology could be implemented downstream of the CTC and ctDNA isolation, thus complementing the Mikro Biyo technology.
We wish to obtain surplus tumour tissue, blood samples and stool samples from patients with bowel cancer, to compare the mutation profile of each sample type. We also wish to obtain stool samples from patients who have undergone a colonoscopy, to determine whether “ATOM-seq” could be used to further identify patients ‘at risk’ of cancer development.REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NE/0175
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion