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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.

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First Claim