Contribution

This page describes the potential benefits of the Hong Kong-HS Team's ColoTrace project, a non-invasive miRNA-based detection kit for colorectal cancer (CRC), for the local community..

Project Overview

Colorectal cancer (CRC), which develops in the colon or rectum, is becoming increasingly prevalent but often goes unnoticed globally. It is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths both in Hong Kong and worldwide [1,2]. The sharp rise in CRC cases underscores the urgency of addressing this public health issue. Therefore, increasing awareness and early detection of colorectal cancer will be essential in combating this global health challenge.

Importance of Early Detection

Early detection through screening can improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality rates. Currently, five mainstream screening methods are available: colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, CT scans, the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), and the Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) [3]. However, these methods can be invasive, costly, or sometimes inaccurate. While FIT has been widely promoted by the Department of Health in Hong Kong, it is limited by its poor sensitivity in detecting colorectal polyps, a critical precancerous feature of CRC. This limitation prompted us to explore alternative biomarkers for early colorectal cancer detection, leading us to two micro-RNAs, miR-92a and miR-135b, which are overexpressed in faecal samples of the early CRC stage [3,4].

(see Engineering page)

Project Design and Engineering

Our team designed and engineered toehold switches to bind specifically to the two target micro-RNAs (miRNA). When the miRNAs bind to the corresponding toehold switches, the switches transition from an OFF to an ON state, ultimately leading to gene expression that produces a green fluorescent protein to indicate the presence of CRC biomarkers. In our project, we have proved that our designed toehold switches can express green fluorescence in the presence of the target miRNAs, and our team successfully cloned one of the toehold switches in E. coli colonies.

(see Engineering and Results page)

The ColoTrace Kit

A home-use CRC detection kit, ColoTrace, will be produced for CRC detection. The kit includes a hygienic sample collection unit, a reaction chamber with a toehold switch for detecting the early CRC miRNAs, and a special light source for visualizing the test results. This affordable CRC detection kit empowers individuals to monitor their health with ease.

Addressing Challenges in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, traditional colorectal cancer detection methods like colonoscopy and FIT can be costly and time-consuming, posing financial and logistical stress for patients and discouraging them from undergoing CRC check-ups (see Human Practices page). We believe that our screening method, ColoTrace, is a user-friendly, non-invasive, affordable, and convenient test kit that can increase CRC detection rates and save lives before the disease causes serious harm to patients.

References