'World's No.1' Colon Cancer... Rapid Diagnosis with a Drop of Blood

Korea Basic Science Institute Develops Kit Based on Core Technology - Begins Commercialization

▲Regular endoscopic examinations are important for the prevention of colorectal cancer. [Photo provided by Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] "Colon cancer can be diagnosed with just one drop of blood."

Until now, colon cancer patients have endured significant costs, time, and pain through procedures such as endoscopy and computed tomography (CT) scans to receive a diagnosis. This has been one of the main reasons patients avoid testing, hindering early diagnosis and making treatment more difficult. In response, domestic researchers and companies are developing a kit that can easily diagnose colon cancer.

The Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) signed a memorandum of understanding on the 26th with Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital and A&DSolution to develop "colon cancer diagnostic technology using biomarkers." The goal of this agreement is to develop a sensor (kit) that can diagnose colon cancer through blood.

Korea has the highest incidence rate of colon cancer in the world, with 45 cases per 100,000 people, and the mortality rate from colon cancer is 17.5 per 100,000, ranking third among cancer deaths in the country. In particular, the 5-year survival rate for stage 1 colon cancer is about 90%, but for stage 4 it is less than 5%, making early diagnosis extremely important.

Colon cancer has been diagnosed so far through colonoscopy or CT scans, which take a long time and are costly. Especially, colonoscopy causes significant discomfort and pain for patients. Although simpler methods such as digital rectal examination and fecal occult blood tests exist, they have the drawback of lower accuracy.

To overcome these shortcomings, the three institutions plan to develop technology that can diagnose colon cancer in a simple yet accurate way. The goal is to develop a diagnostic device where 1-2 drops of blood from a suspected colon cancer patient are applied to the newly developed diagnostic kit, and the presence or absence of colon cancer can be immediately confirmed through color changes and electrical signals.

Currently, systems that detect blood biomarkers exist, but they have the disadvantage of insufficient specificity. The sensor (kit) being developed this time aims for 90% accuracy in both sensitivity and specificity through the discovery of new biomarkers.

This joint research and development will utilize KBSI's technology of "optical and electrochemical biosensors based on Prussian blue nanoparticles." This technology uses biosensors made with Prussian blue nanoparticles that change color and amplify electrochemical signals upon encountering antigens, enabling highly sensitive analytical detection.

KBSI will apply this technology to develop biosensors capable of diagnosing colon cancer, Bucheon Hospital will provide blood samples and conduct clinical trials, and A&DSolution will work on commercialization technology development.

Choi Jong-soon, Deputy Director of KBSI, stated, "This agreement will greatly help the fruition of KBSI's unique diagnostic sensor development research," adding, "We hope this joint research and development will serve as an opportunity to protect the health of the public and improve quality of life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.