Plasma Circulating mRNA Profile for the Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer Using NanoString Technologies

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Finn

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly prevalent and remains a major cause of cancer mortality, with early disease often asymptomatic and symptoms typically emerging only at advanced stages. Regular screening supports earlier detection and timely treatment, and a cost-effective non-invasive platform is needed to screen and monitor patients. This study analyzed 71 plasma samples from 48 CRC patients confirmed by colonoscopy and histopathology (TNM stages I to IV) collected between 2017 and 2019. Plasma mRNA profiling used the NanoString nCounter, and statistical comparisons were performed with Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H tests. Among 27 selected circulating mRNA markers, all showed overexpression (fold change > 2) across two or more CRC stages. NanoString-based targeted CRC-associated plasma mRNA panels that distinguish CRC patients from healthy subjects were developed for non-invasive diagnosis.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

1. Introduction

Disease background and clinical need

Abstract

Communication Plasma Circulating mRNA Profile for the Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer Using NanoString Technologies Hin Fung Tsang 1,2,†, Xiao Meng Pei 3,†, Yin Kwan Evelyn Wong 2 and Sze Chuen Cesar Wong 3, * Citation: Tsang, H.F.; Pei, X.M.; Wong, Y.K.E.; Wong, S.C.C. Plasma Circulating mRNA Profile for the Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer Using NanoString Technologies. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 3012. [https://doi.org/10.3390/](https://doi.org/10.3390/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.3390/)ijms25053012 Academic Editor: Ehsan Gharib Received: 30 January 2024 Revised: 26 February 2024 Accepted: 2 March 2024 Published: 5 March 2024 Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . 1 Department of Clinical Laboratory and Pathology, Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; [andy_thf@yahoo.com.hk](andy_thf@yahoo.com.hk) 2 Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China; [evelynwong0723@gmail.com](evelynwong0723@gmail.com) 3 Department of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China; [xiaomeng2019.pei@polyu.edu.hk](xiaomeng2019.pei@polyu.edu.hk) * Correspondence: [cesar.wong@polyu.edu.hk](cesar.wong@polyu.edu.hk)[ ](cesar.wong@polyu.edu.hk)† These authors contributed equally to this work. Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in developed countries. Early CRC may have no symptoms and symptoms usually appear with more advanced diseases. Regular screening can identify people who are at increased risk of CRC in order to offer earlier treatment. A cost-effective non-invasive platform for the screening and monitoring of CRC patients allows early detection and appropriate treatment of the disease, and the timely application of adjuvant therapy after surgical operation is needed. In this study, a cohort of 71 plasma samples that include 48 colonoscopy-and histopathology-confirmed CRC patients with TNM stages I to IV were recruited between 2017 and 2019 . Plasma mRNA profiling was performed in CRC patients using NanoString nCounter. Normalized data were analyzed using a Mann–Whitney U test to determine statistically significant differences between samples from CRC patients and healthy subjects. A multiple-group comparison of clinical phenotypes was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis H test for statistically significant differences between multiple groups. Among the 27 selected circulating mRNA markers, all of them were found tobe overexpressed (gene expression fold change > 2) in the plasma of patients from two or more CRC stages. In conclusion, NanoString-based targeted plasma CRC-associated mRNAs circulating the marker panel that can significantly distinguish CRC patients from a healthy population were developed for the non-invasive diagnosis of CRC using peripheral blood samples. Keywords: NanoString; nCounter; non-invasive screening; plasma RNA; CRC; colorectal cancer 1. Introduction CRC results from an abnormal growth of cells on the wall of the large bowel, which is the last portion of the digestive system. CRC is a complex disease, and it is believed to be formed by the accumulation of a cascade of genetic mutations in the body overtime. Most CRC starts from polyps that are usually benign; however, some may develop into cancer over time after accumulating different mutations [1] . The development of a polyp into cancer may take more than 10 years. If it is not treated, cancer cells may spread to other parts of the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic system to invade and damage

FAQs

Why is non-invasive screening important for colorectal cancer?

Early CRC may show no symptoms, while symptoms often appear in more advanced disease. Regular screening helps identify higher-risk individuals for earlier treatment, and a non-invasive platform supports both screening and patient monitoring.

How were plasma mRNA profiles measured in this study?

Plasma mRNA profiling was performed on CRC patients using the NanoString nCounter platform.

What statistical methods were used to compare CRC patients and healthy subjects?

Normalized data were analyzed with a Mann–Whitney U test for significant differences between CRC patients and healthy subjects, and a Kruskal–Wallis H test was used for multi-group comparisons of clinical phenotypes.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Finn