Biomarkers* are specific tumor features (genes, proteins, or other markers) that can provide information about your cancer. Understanding these unique characteristics can help determine your treatment options.
Once you have a colorectal cancer diagnosis your oncologist, surgeon, or other member of your care team can request that biomarker testing be done on the tumor to help understand the most effective treatments for your specific type of cancer.
Your care team may also refer to biomarker testing as:
Biomarker testing looks at your specific cancer to understand the makeup of tumors guiding how best to treat it.
Genetic testing looks at your body’s DNA for a gene mutation (a typo in your genes) that may indicate you have an inherited syndrome or other condition that makes you more likely to develop colon or other cancers.
If possible, initial biomarker testing should take place soon after diagnosis, before treatment begins. A tissue sample is needed, therefore, many times this tumor testing will take place at the same time as surgery, or a biopsy may also be performed.
A liquid biopsy (blood test) can also provide information about your cancer by analyzing tumor cells (ctCDNA) that have shed and are circulating in your blood.
Once a sample is collected it is sent to a specialty lab for analysis and a biomarker report is provided to your care team.
Having biomarker testing done early in your treatment journey, even before treatment starts, can help direct your healthcare providers toward the most effective treatment for your cancer.
Knowing your tumor’s unique biomarkers is key to accessing the right care for your specific cancer, also known as precision medicine. Biomarkers can give clues about which available treatment option, ranging from chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and more, is best suited for your specific cancer.
Biomarker testing can also help determine if your tumor type makes you eligible for certain clinical trials.
Biomarkers may also reveal a genetic condition associated with increased cancer risk. If this occurs, discuss your results as well as your family history and other risk factors with a genetic counselor to consider additional genetic testing*.
Genes, proteins, or other specific features of a tumor that can provide information about a person’s cancer that can be used to judge how well the body may respond to a specific treatment.
A medical procedure removing a small sample of cells from the body so they can be tested in a laboratory.
DNA from cancer cells found in the bloodstream.
A test that analyzes a person’s DNA to look for abnormal genes in your DNA that may indicate an increased risk for cancer or other diseases.
A cancer treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.
A blood test to look for cancer cells or other molecules shed from a tumor can be used to detect cancer, monitor cancer in the body, or identify tumor biomarkers to help determine treatment options.
Using information and cancer biomarkers to more accurately identify the most effective treatment options for an individual’s cancer.
Cancer treatment that precisely identifies and attacks certain types of cancer cells, can be used alone or with chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation.
