The third most common cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer today. Each year 1.4 million individuals are being diagnosed worldwide. With mortality rates surpassing 50 percent, improved diagnostics, prognosing and better treatments are essential in order to improve survival and quality of life for those affected by the disease.
The primary treatment for colorectal cancer is surgery. Following the procedure, the resected tumor – and surrounding tissue – are investigated to determine if the tumor has spread. Identified tumor cells in lymph nodes are the most important indicator of patients at risk for recurrent cancer and cancer death. Patients with confirmed cancer spread are therefore recommended postoperative chemotherapy – whereas patients without detected spread are considered to be cured by surgery alone.
Unneccesary suffering and risk of omitted patients
Unfortunately, a sizeable number of risk patients are missed by the current clinical routine. The method used – histopathological microscopy investigation of lymph node tissue – is insensitive, subjective, and unable to discriminate between aggressive and non-aggressive tumor cells. As a consequence, many patients do not get the treatment they would benefit from, while others go through treatment, with unnecessary suffering for the patients and higher healthcare costs as a result.
Our Solution
Hiloprobe is developing an all new approach for exact and efficient colorectal cancer diagnosis and the solution is ColoNode® – a tool to accurately diagnose colorectal cancer. Through the use of specific biomarkers identified by scientists at Umeå University and Helsingborgs Hospital, the company can offer a specific and sensitive PCR-based solution for improved diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer.
ColoNode® is an invention by Hiloprobe, that can accurately identify which patients are at risk for recurrent colorectal cancer after surgery. The ColoNode® objectively detects tumor cells in lymph nodes with high specificity and sensitivity. In addition, it discriminates between aggressive and non-aggressive tumors, which is completely new and unique information not available in clinical practice today.
Competitive Advantages
This innovative clinical tool depend on the analysis of a carefully selected set of biomarkers that has been shown to be superior to the routine method for prediction of recurrent colorectal cancer today.
Thus, Hiloprobe provides a new approach for clinicians to effectively diagnose and categorize patients according to risk of recurrent disease. The ColoNode can effectively pave the way for personalized postoperative treatments in the area of colorectal cancer care.
Current status
This innovative startup has secured their first external investors, but is always interested in partnerships for future developments. Read the article about their last investment here (link to Nordic Light Capital press release).
