Article: Fecal DNA methylation detects gastric and colorectal cancers.

A preliminary evaluation of methylation of two gene promoters in fecal DNA showed promise as a noninvasive method to detect colorectal and gastric cancers, according to a new study published online August 21 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Because many patients are reluctant to undergo invasive tests for the detection of gastrointestinal cancers, the development of nonintrusive screening tests is desirable. Especially in cancer patients, some cells are sloughed off from the gastrointestinal tract, so small amounts of DNA from these cells present in stool samples can be examined for the presence of cancer biomarkers.

Takeshi Nagasaka, ...

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