Oryzon Genomics has identified a new marker for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer, specifically for the so-called hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, which does not develop from pre-existing polyps. The new marker allows clinicians to determine whether this type of cancer has a hereditary component; a diagnosis that, at present, is not clear in a high percentage of cases and is a great cause of concern for families affected.

The research has been performed at the Molecular Diagnosis Division of the company Oryzon and in collaboration with the team from Molecular Oncology and Aging at the Research Centre on Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (CIBBIM) at the Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, directed by Simó Schwartz Jr. The new marker identified is the active or oncogenic form of a protein denominated B-raf –the serine-treonine kinase enzyme–, the role of which had already been described in some tumors such as melanomas, but whose significance in certain forms of colorectal cancer had not been demonstrated previously.

The use of B-raf allows the reorientation of present diagnostic protocols, follow-up and genetic advice for patients with hereditary colorectal cancer and also contributes to a significant reduction in time required for diagnosis and in associated heath care costs and facilitates the application of these protocols to more patients. Thus, a greater number of cases of hereditary colorectal cancer can be diagnosed, thereby anticipating this disease in relatives of these patients and increasing their survival rate.

According to Carlos Buesa, director of Oryzon, “we estimate that the use of this new product could save 900 lives each year in Europe alone by increasing by 70% the number of neoplasias diagnosed, which are difficult to characterize diagnostically as hereditary. In addition, this new diagnostic marker will imply a saving, between direct and indirect costs, for public health systems across Europe of around 10 million euros per year”.

With respect to the identification of the new marker, Oryzon has presented a patent for its use as a marker in a diagnostic kit; the first patent registered by the Molecular Diagnosis Division of the company since its set up in February 2003. Carlos Buesa has appraised this first patent positively: “Oryzon aims to become a reference partner for the biomedical sector and this first step, fruit of collaboration with large public hospitals, reinforces our commitment to the field of biomedicine and to society”.

Simó Schwartz Jr., one of the specialists in molecular oncology that collaborates with Oryzon in its oncological projects, has directed a international multi-centre study on the role of B-raf with other renowned specialists from several European countries and from Japan and the USA. This study clearly demonstrates its diagnostic capacity and excellent perspectives for the incorporation of B-raf in current protocols.