title: Use of integrin alpha 6 transcripts in a stool mRNA assay for the detection of colorectal cancers at curable stages.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An important criterion for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is the ability to detect lesions at a curable stage. In the present study, we have assessed the integrin α6 subunit transcript (ITGA6) as part of a stool assay for the detection of colorectal lesions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison with control samples, ITGA6 levels were found to be significantly increased at all stages (P < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed areas under the curve of 0.89 for the prediction of CRC with 81% sensitivity and 88% specificity and of 0.90 for the prediction of advanced adenomas (Ad) with 75% sensitivity and 88% specificity. The ITGA6A variant was also found to be increased relative to ITGA6 in stage II and III CRCs. Combining ITGA6 with other selected transcripts and/or immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) results further increased sensitivity and specificity for the detection of colorectal lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  ITGA6 detection used alone and under various combinations including detection of other mRNA markers and iFOBT was assessed on stool samples obtained from 175 patients (91 CRCs, 24 Ad and 60 healthy controls).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data confirm the usefulness and reliability of an mRNA stool assay for the detection of colorectal lesions. The validation of additional candidate genes and their analysis in multiplex qPCR represents a powerful and robust approach that can be combined with iFOBT results to improve the detection of colorectal lesions.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Intestinal Physiopathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Beaulieu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Intestinal Physiopathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Herring
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Hamamatsu Medical Center, Hamamatsu, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanaoka
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Intestinal Physiopathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Éric
authors.initials: É
authors.lastname: Tremblay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039503:Integrin alpha6 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D012372:ROC Curve; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C588002:ITGA6 protein, human; D039503:Integrin alpha6; D012333:RNA, Messenger
keywords: adenomas; biomarker; colorectal cancer; mRNA; non-invasive screening