N-myristoyltransferase 2-based Blood Test for the Detection of Colorectal Adenomatous Polyps and Cancer.
Article
Rathinagopal, Tharmini, Bhanot, Shiv, Yegrov, Sergey et al. (2022). N-myristoyltransferase 2-based Blood Test for the Detection of Colorectal Adenomatous Polyps and Cancer.
. 3(1), e117. 10.1097/as9.0000000000000117
Rathinagopal, Tharmini, Bhanot, Shiv, Yegrov, Sergey et al. (2022). N-myristoyltransferase 2-based Blood Test for the Detection of Colorectal Adenomatous Polyps and Cancer.
. 3(1), e117. 10.1097/as9.0000000000000117
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. This study demonstrates the utility of a simple blood test with high sensitivity and specificity for colorectal adenomatous polyps and cancer. A simple blood test with high sensitivity and specificity for adenomas would help identify individuals for a follow-up colonoscopy during which any adenomatous polyps found could be removed, thus preventing colorectal cancer (CRC).
Methods
We determined the H-score by using immunohistochemical analyses of N-myristoyltransferase 2 (NMT2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from the blood. We determined the sensitivity and specificity of the NMT2-based blood test in identifying colorectal adenomatous polyps and cancer.
Design
All experimental procedures were performed by research personnel blinded to the colonoscopy status of the participants.
Setting
In this cohort study, participants were recruited from those coming for an outpatient colonoscopy at a referral center.
Participants
PBMC were collected from 74 subjects at the Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Canada. Samples were collected from colonoscopy patients prior to colonoscopy. All 74 subjects were included in CRC vs. non-CRC analysis, whereas only 70 subjects were analyzed for colorectal adenomatous polyps and cancer versus individuals with no evidence of disease and non-adenomatous polyps. NMT2 expression was tested in samples by immunohistochemistry.
Results
The expression of NMT2 was significantly higher in PBMC of subjects with colorectal adenomatous polyps and cancer (n = 34) compared with individuals with non-adenomatous polyps or no evidence of disease (n = 36) (P < 0.0001). The test had an overall sensitivity of 91% (95% confidence intervals: 84.49-97.80) and specificity of 81% (95% confidence intervals: 71.28-89.83) in detecting colorectal adenomatous polyps and cancer (all stages).
Conclusions
Our results suggest that the sensitivity of NMT2 in detecting adenomatous polyps is high (91%). A simple blood-based CRC screening test using NMT2 expression detects colorectal adenomatous polyps and cancer with high sensitivity and specificity has the potential of increasing the compliance for CRC screening as has been reported for other blood-based CRC screening tests.
