Patent ID: 6630314
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: C07K,C12N,G01N

Abstract:
A method of screening for colorectal cancer, comprising the steps of:(a) collecting a fecal sample in a transport medium at normal ambient temperature; (b) dispersing the fecal sample in said transport medium diluted with a suspension medium; (c) sedimenting cells present in the diluted transport medium of step (b) to isolate the cells from impurities by layering the cell suspension over a medium of heavier density; (d) centrifuging the cells in step (C) to form a cellular band at a boundary with said heavier medium and within the heavier medium and pellet, thereby obtaining isolated intact viable exfoliated colonocytes from said fecal sample; then (e) reacting said isolated colonocytes with a reagent determinative of the presence of a marker of colorectal cancer, occurrence of a positive reaction of said colonocytes with said reagent being indicative of the presence of said cancer.