Biofilm Detection to Define Risk for Colon Cancer
JHU REF: C12695
Invention novelty: This technology is a diagnostic method for identifying people at risk for colon cancer employing analysis of biopsy specimens for biofilm formation.
Value Proposition:
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the cause of more than 50,000 deaths every year in United States. Detection of patients at risk for colon cancer is a major goal for early detection of colon cancer itself and potential interventions that may decrease the development of colon cancer. Achievement of either of these goals would significantly decrease morbidity and mortality from colon cancer, one of the leading cancers worldwide. This technology is based upon a remarkable discovery that biofilm formation is associated with colon cancer development. Biofilm formation can be used as means of diagnosis for colon cancer. Other advantages of this technology include:
- High specificity
- Early stage screening
- Allowing intervention such as antibiotics or probiotics to prevent and/or treat colon cancer.
Technical Details:
Johns Hopkins researchers discovered that essentially all right-sided colon cancers and a subset of left-sided colon cancers possess a biofilm, which allows an increased concentration of bacteria to contact the colonic mucosa. These biofilms are associated with increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis of colonic epithelium, both of which are important elements in transformation to colon cancer. In contrast, only 10% of normal colonoscopy colon biopsies are biofilm positive. These results indicate that detection of biofilms in normal colonoscopy specimens would identify individuals at higher risk for development of colon cancer.
Looking for Partners: To develop and commercialize the technology as a diagnostic kit for colon cancer detection.
Stage of Development: Pre-Clinical
Data Availability: Prototype
Patent Status: Pending
Publication(s)/Associated Cases: WO 2015/038731; PMC4280621
Categories: Diagnosis
Keywords: Colon cancer; colorectal cancer; CRC; colonic mucosa; biofilm
