The implication of molecular markers in the early stage diagnosis of colorectal cancers and precancerous lesions

Mortality can be significantly reduced if noninvasive molecular markers that are effective in the diagnosis of both early colorectal cancers and precancerous lesions are used in screening tests.In this study, our aim is to review the studies conducted with molecular markers obtained noninvasively for diagnosis in early-stage colorectal cancer and precancerous lesions and to reveal the most efficient and cost-effective ones.In our study, it has been shown by analyzing noninvasive molecular markers used in the diagnosis of early-stage colorectal cancers and precancerous lesions, that high rates of effective diagnosis can be obtained after given screening processes, even if these are relatively less effective. In particular, miR-21 in faeces and plasma has been found to be the most efficient and cost-effective biomarker.In order to reduce mortality in colorectal cancers, screening tests should be performed with molecular markers that are effective in early-stage colorectal cancers. However, novel biomarkers are also needed to detect both early colorectal cancers and precancerous lesions. When miR-21 analysis in stool and plasma is widely used as a screening test for early-stage colorectal cancer and precancerous lesions, early diagnosis rates can be significantly increased and mortality rates reduced.