Breakthrough in research on early detection of bowel cancer tumors

Scientists discovered that when the biological bacteria Escherichia coli Nissle is present in the intestines, they prefer to live in lesions that are precursors to colon cancer and colon cancer tumors.

Australian researchers have achieved a new breakthrough by finding a way to detect bowel cancer without a stool test.

Tailoring a probiotic bacteria to help detect bowel cancer tumors early.

Currently, bowel cancer can only be diagnosed with a faecal occult blood test (FOBT), which looks for traces of blood invisible to the naked eye in a stool sample.

In new research published on January 24, a team of scientists from the South Australian Institute of Health and Medical Research, the University of Adelaide, and partners at Columbia University in the US discovered a way to regulate a probiotic to help detect bowel cancer tumors early.

The probiotic bacteria Escherichia coli Nissle , was first discovered by German physician Alfred Nissle during World War I, and has been used to treat intestinal disorders.

A research team led by Australian scientists has discovered that when the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle is present in the intestine, it prefers to live in lesions that are precursors to bowel cancer and cancerous tumors. intestine.

So the team tweaked the bacteria so they could release molecules that serve as markers for early-stage cancers.

Susan Woods, lead study author, said this breakthrough could help diagnose bowel cancer earlier and without the need for invasive measures.

When the tumor is located, the bacteria will secrete a chemical that can be detected in the urine.

In the future, the research team aims to be able to detect this marker in blood tests.

According to the Cancer Council Australia, bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the country, with an estimated 15,300 diagnoses by 2023. The average age of diagnosis is 69 years old.

Australia has a national Bowel Cancer Screening Program, which gives every person aged 50-74 a free FOBT tool to perform at home every 2 years.