# Development of a noninvasive, rapid and affordable method for early detection of colorectal cancer

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA · 2021 · $68,447

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Screening remains the key intervention for colorectal cancer (CRC) control and prevention as detection and
removal of premalignant lesions can prevent progression to cancer. Colonoscopy, the gold standard for CRC
screening, is an invasive and costly procedure resulting in low compliance in both the general and the under-
screened populations, including low-income and early-onset young patients. Feces-screening methods also
suffer low compliance rates. Affordable and minimally invasive approaches are urgently warranted to address
low screening rates and prevent CRC through early detection. We are proposing to explore the concept of field
effect in CRC or simultaneous occurrence of subtle alterations distal from precancerous polyps in the colon, in
an innovative way, to develop a new screening modality for CRC. Mast cells (MC) are innate immune cells
located close to the intestinal epithelium and blood vessels at homeostasis, whose accumulation is an
essential feature of intestinal polyposis in mice and of invasive intestinal lesions. We hypothesized that MC
might slough off in the colonic lumen upon precancerous transformation, but not in normal healthy cases, thus
being accessible by rectal swabbing, together with other cells. Combining our dual expertise in quantitative
imaging and mast cell (MC) biology, we surmise that swab-collected cells might be analyzed on microscopy
slides after processing and staining for MC using bright-field microscopy and image analysis software. Our
preliminary results using two preclinical models of CRC, the genetic ApcMin/+ mouse model and the
azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis leading to CRC, indicate the presence of swab MC in
polyp carrying but not in healthy polyp-free, inflamed polyp-free, cancer-free or wild type mice. To ensure
standardized sample analysis, we propose to develop a computational imaging method for swab MC detection
by integrating MC-restricted morphometric descriptors. Further biological and technical validations will be
performed. If confirm, our working hypothesis will be tested in a human pilot study.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10174880
- **Project number:** 5R21CA245651-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA
- **Principal Investigator:** CAROLE A OSKERITZIAN
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $68,447
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10174880

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10174880, Development of a noninvasive, rapid and affordable method for early detection of colorectal cancer (5R21CA245651-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10174880. Licensed CC0.

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