Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ColoMARK (Identification and development of novel colorectal cancer biomarkers via state-of-the-art liquid biopsy approaches)
Reporting period: 2022-11-01 to 2024-10-31
ColoMARK is a European research initiative pioneering liquid biopsy strategies to transform colorectal cancer (CRC) detection and management through cutting-edge molecular technologies.
CRC, the third most common cancer worldwide, represents a major health burden with nearly 2 million new cases yearly. ColoMARK focuses on three key areas: predictive biomarkers for risk assessment, diagnostic biomarkers for non-invasive early detection, and prognostic biomarkers for personalised treatment and disease monitoring.
ColoMARK unites leading experts in genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, pathology, and technology development to address this challenge. By addressing critical gaps in CRC detection and management, ColoMARK aims to enhance patient outcomes, optimise screening efficiency, and contribute to cost-effective, sustainable healthcare solutions.
CRC, the third most common cancer worldwide, represents a major health burden with nearly 2 million new cases yearly. ColoMARK focuses on three key areas: predictive biomarkers for risk assessment, diagnostic biomarkers for non-invasive early detection, and prognostic biomarkers for personalised treatment and disease monitoring.
ColoMARK unites leading experts in genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, pathology, and technology development to address this challenge. By addressing critical gaps in CRC detection and management, ColoMARK aims to enhance patient outcomes, optimise screening efficiency, and contribute to cost-effective, sustainable healthcare solutions.
Key achievements so far include the profiling of colorectal polyps, the evaluation of metabolic signatures as a measure of dairy consumption and its relationship with CRC risk, measures of gut barrier biomarkers linked to CRC occurrence, and miRNA profiling for disease prognosis.
The ColoMARK DCs have also extensively worked in benchmarking optimised protocols for circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) detection at early stages, the quantification of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) In different bodily fluids and tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (tdEVs), the evaluation of cell-free tumour RNA molecules from plasma samples and the use of multiplexed dynamic chemical labelling (DCL) for the rapid detection of miRNAs.
Overall, these achievements contribute to the development of better CRC biomarkers.
The ColoMARK DCs have also extensively worked in benchmarking optimised protocols for circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) detection at early stages, the quantification of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) In different bodily fluids and tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (tdEVs), the evaluation of cell-free tumour RNA molecules from plasma samples and the use of multiplexed dynamic chemical labelling (DCL) for the rapid detection of miRNAs.
Overall, these achievements contribute to the development of better CRC biomarkers.
The ColoMARK project has advanced the understanding of colorectal cancer (CRC) mechanisms through the identification of novel biomarkers. Specifically, we have observed the relationship between metabolic dietary signatures and CRC risk, the relationship between the presence of certain miRNAs and ctDNA and CRC evolution, or the mechanisms of cell communication via extracellular vesicles. These findings have the potential to enhance early detection, personalized treatment, and patient monitoring.
Future plans across the projects focus on further biomarker validation, assay standardization and systems biology approaches to provide a holistic understanding of the molecular processes leading to CRC and its evolution over the course of the disease. Key areas include matching somatic profiles and ctDNA data in early stages, investigating gut barrier function, or a deepening of our understanding of the mechanisms leading to ctDNA shedding.
By addressing key research and implementation needs, ColoMARK has the potential to revolutionize CRC detection and management, improving global patient outcomes and healthcare sustainability.
Future plans across the projects focus on further biomarker validation, assay standardization and systems biology approaches to provide a holistic understanding of the molecular processes leading to CRC and its evolution over the course of the disease. Key areas include matching somatic profiles and ctDNA data in early stages, investigating gut barrier function, or a deepening of our understanding of the mechanisms leading to ctDNA shedding.
By addressing key research and implementation needs, ColoMARK has the potential to revolutionize CRC detection and management, improving global patient outcomes and healthcare sustainability.