25
 OCT

25. October 2021

Prognostic and Predictive Biomarker Detection in Colorectal Cancer


Colorectal cancer is uncontrolled and is therefore pathological cell growth originating either within the colon or rectum of the body. One of the most common types of cancer, colorectal cancer, made up almost 2 million new diagnoses in 2018, according to a study published in the journal Cancers.
Due to the prevalence of this cancer, medical researchers and health care providers rely on histopathology to provide data about a patient’s disease and then offer a prognosis on the most effective treatment strategy. In order to form a prognosis, predictive biomarkers of the disease are detected in patients. The method of biomarker detection will be further explored in this blog post.


What is Biomarker Detection?
Biomarker detection involves identifying a biological molecule in human samples which indicate the nature of specific processes occurring in the body. Biomarker detection can be used to sense the presence or even the severity of a disease. Biomarkers can target genetic information, enzymes, proteins, and transcription factors.
By identifying biomarkers in patients, doctors can diagnose diseases earlier and determine the best course of action to treat them. Biomarkers can also give insight into how effective treatments will be for patients so that healthcare workers can cater individualized therapies to ensure the best performance for each person.


How to Perform Biomarker Detection?
Powerful and effective biomarker detection techniques are crucial to providing accurate and timely disease prognosis and predictions. Various methods are used for biomarker detection. Image analysis and quantification of biomarker expression are useful for histopathological cancer studies. Technologies like tissue cytometry can provide high performing biomarker detection through advanced visualization and cell quantitation capabilities.


Applying Biomarker Detection to Colorectal Cancer Research
A recently published research paper employed biomarker detection to determine the prognostic and predictive value of cell densities containing the transcription factor SOX2+ in colorectal cancer patients. As SOX2 plays a role in cell differentiation and possesses stem cell-like properties, researchers chose it to be evaluated as a potential biomarker for patient responsivity to chemotherapy treatments.
After immunostaining, the cell densities of SOX2+ were quantified using StrataQuest digital imaging analysis. The study found that SOX2+ is not a predictive biomarker that can be used for prognosis for whether patients will respond positively to colorectal cancer treatments.


Biomarker Detection with TissueGnostics
Tissue Gnostics offers the TissueFAXS series of tissue cytometers specifically designed to image and screen potential biomarkers. For example, the TissueFAXS CHROMA is a high-speed multispectral tissue cytometer capable of high resolution multispectral fluorescence imaging for up to seven biomarkers.
TissueFAXS is compatible with TissueGnostics StrataQuest, an image processing solution capable of advanced digital image analysis for biomarker detection. As a leading expert in tissue cytometry, TissueGnostics promises clients a streamlined, efficient procedure with the many benefits of the aforementioned products described in more detail online.
TissueGnostics is a pioneer in tissue cytometry, offering the ability to engage in the many possibilities of biomarker detection. If you are interested in learning more about biomarker detection solutions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the TissueGnostics team today.

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