Method for identifying individuals at risk for colorectal neoplasia by quantifying normal colonic mucosal epithelial cell apoptosis
US5942396A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S435/968
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods are described for determining in individuals with or without a prior history of colorectal neoplasia whether the individual has had, has, or has a risk of developing colorectal neoplasia. The method involves an assessment of the extent of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in a colorectal biopsy specimen. Any of numerous methods to measure the extent of apoptosis in the sample is contemplated. For example, normal-appearing mucosa from the distal colon and/or rectum may be obtained from individuals undergoing screening procedures for colorectal cancer. The tissue is subjected to a method that assesses apoptosis, for example, by the extent of broken DNA ends in the nuclei of the cells in the specimen. The extent of apoptosis is expressed as a numerical ratio and indicates the possibility that an individual patient has a premalignant or malignant lesion in his or her colon or the risk for the development of a colorectal neoplasm in the future. Furthermore, the method has utility in determining whether a patient with, or at risk of developing, colorectal neoplasia is responding to prevention or intervention therapy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.