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Simple Blood Test May Soon Help Detect Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. While early detection significantly improves the chance of survival, traditional screening methods such as colonoscopy are costly, invasive and have low compliance rates.

Now on the horizon is an innovative platform for the detection of colorectal cancer using a simple blood sample. 

The OncoRedox system is based on an AI-powered disposable electrochemical sensor that generates a metabolic fingerprint of the reduction-oxidation (redox) state, which is the process of molecules in our body communicating and exchanging electrons. 

The sensor enables highly accurate disease detection through plasma samples by analyzing the molecules in the blood “like a tongue with receptorsâ€� that “recognizes the tasteâ€� of cancer, “similar to how people respond to the taste of coffee, for instance,â€� says OncoRedox cofounder and CTO Prof. Hadar Ben-Yoav. 

Prof. Hadar Ben-Yoav in his laboratory at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Photo by Dani Machlis/BGU Generic technology

“Cancer is built from a profile of 15 to 20 different molecules that change all the time,� notes Ben-Yoav, a member of the department of biomedical engineering at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and head of its Nanobioelectronics Laboratory.

The professor says OncoRedox’s generic technology is “not specific to one type of disease; it is suitable for identifying other types of cancer, such as lung or bladder cancer.â€�  

Ben-Yoav says the simplicity of the technology sets OncoRedox apart from its competitors worldwide, which focus mainly on detecting colon cancer via stool samples.

“Stool tests are five times more expensive because they’re DNA-based tests. Our method is cost-effective, with a per-test cost of goods at less than $10,â€� he notes. 

Ben-Yoav adds that stool tests are also less convenient and “only 50% of people� agree to do them, “compared to a blood test, which is something we all are willing to do.�

The disposable electrochemical sensor. Photo by Yulia Karra 10 years in the making

The research behind the OncoRedox technology was initiated at BGU more than 10 years ago. Ben-Yoav became involved in the studies after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

“I remember it like it was yesterday. They tested her cancer type and told her to start this medicine that promised less than a 4% chance that the cancer would come back. It's like chemotherapy, but with less crazy side effects,� he recalls.

Three years later, the cancer came back. “It may be only 4%, but when you’re part of this 4%, you’re 100% sick,� he notes. 

Ben-Yoav himself comes from the field of diagnostics. “I did my PhD in the analytical field; I was the one developing these tests [that determined the success rate of medical solutions].�

He believed there must be a better way to diagnose cancer, as well as other diseases. 

“To understand whether the cancer will come back or not, you actually have to look for a whole specific profile of molecules,â€� he explains. 

OncoRedox

Seven years ago, Ben-Yoav — in partnership with BGU and Sheba Medical Center — began developing the idea for what officially became OncoRedox in 2022. Prof. Gal Markel, who heads the Davidoff Cancer Center at Rabin Medical Center, is another cofounder of OncoRedox and its CMO. 

Sensor apparatus at Prof. Hadar Ben-Yoav’s Ben-Gurion University lab. Photo by Yulia Karra

The vision of the final product is a home blood test that could be purchased at a pharmacy, like Covid or pregnancy tests. Abnormal results would not necessarily indicate cancer but would point to an anomaly that should be examined via colonoscopy. 

Clinical proof-of-concept studies have so far demonstrated 94 percent accuracy in detecting the disease. 

Research tools in Prof. Ben-Yoav’s lab at Ben-Gurion University. Photo by Yulia Karra 

Ben-Yoav says he hopes to receive US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval within the next two to three years, and have a market-ready product within the next four or five years. 

The stress factor

The company hopes to expand the technology to detect other types of cancer, as well as inflammatory bowel diseases including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. 

“We’ve seen a crazy increase in inflammatory bowel diseases over the past year because they’re related to stress,� Ben-Yoav tells ISRAEL21c. “There is a correlation between stress and the intestinal system.�

He says this extends to cancer, too.

“We all have cancer cells in our bodies at any given time, but the immune system takes care of them. Stress — both mental and physical – weakens the immune system and its ability to treat these cancer cells,â€� he explains. 

Prof. Ben-Yoav talking to his student Lior Yatov at his Ben-Gurion University lab. Photo by Yulia Karra 

To explore the connection between stress, the immune system and the chance of developing cancer, Ben-Yoav’s lab is building a chip that behaves like the gut and a chip that behaves like the brain. 

“We can recreate a connection between the gut and the brain and see what happens to these organs when we're stressed. For instance, how do the molecules released in the brain affect the gut?�

Meanwhile, he is working to advance the progress of OncoRedox.

The startup is opening a seed funding round to expand its clinical proof-of-concept studies and trials. It has so far received funding from the Israeli Innovation Authority and Peregrine Venture’s Incentive Incubator, where some of the company’s work is being conducted.

For more information on OncoRedox, click here. 

We cover what makes life in Israel so special â€" it's people. A non-profit organization, ISRAEL21c's team of journalists are committed to telling stories that humanize Israelis and show their positive impact on our world. You can bring these stories to life by making a donation of $6/month. 

Five Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor About Colon Cancer That Could Be Potentially Life-saving

Ever since the 1990s, cases of cancer found within the bowels, colon or rectum have been gradually increasing, particularly in young people.

Indeed, in the US, 20 percent of colorectal cancer cases reported in 2019 were found to be in citizens below 50 years of age.

One of the main issues doctors find with this particular form of cancer is that it can prove particularly difficult to diagnose, as most symptoms fly under the radar - something that has earnt it the nickname of the 'silent killer'.

According to the NHS, the most obvious indication that something sinister may be going on within the lower intestine, colon or rectum is a change to a person's stools.

This could refer to the shape or consistency of each bowel movement, or how often/how urgent the feeling of needing to use the bathroom for number two becomes.

Masses of dark red blood found in your excrement could also be a sign of bowel cancer, as could severe pain in the abdominal area.

There are several other more low-key symptoms of the disease, which often go unnoticed as they can be signs of other, more common ailments.

These can include:

Feeling a lump in your stomach

Bloating

Losing weight without attempting to

Feeling fatigued

But while the symptoms may be fairly well documented, there may be other aspects that you're not considering.

Cases of colon cancer have been steadily on the rise, particularly in young people (Getty Stock Images)

With that in mind, the health experts from Vanswe Fitness have pulled together of five important questions you should ask your doctor – all of which are points you may not have thought to ask, and all of which could potentially be life-saving.

"Based on my family history and personal risk factors, should I start colon cancer screening earlier than the standard age?"

According to Vanswe, tailored screening is crucial for anyone who has a family history of cancer or other notable risk factors, which is something you should consider when speaking to your doctor.

With rising rates of early-onset colon cancer and advanced-stage diagnoses among younger people, it's vital that you understand how your specific personal risk levels may warrant starting the screening process sooner than other people might.

"What are the most effective and accessible screening options for someone like me?"

Colonoscopies are a common test to check inside your bowels, but they aren't always accessible for younger patients - especially if one needs to be performed before the recommended age, with screening currently offered to Brits aged 54 to 75 every two years.

But you can also ask about other screening methods that better suit your situation, such as stool-based tests or others that can be performed at home like a virtual colonoscopy.

Understanding your own risk factors is crucial (Natalia Gdovskaia/Getty Images) "What symptoms should I look out for, and how can I tell if they might indicate colon cancer?"

It's important to be as clued-up about symptoms as you can be, as early symptoms can easily be mistaken for less serious issues, or so subtle that you don't notice them.

Common warning signs include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhoea and signs of iron deficiency.

"How do lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and body weight affect my colon cancer risk?"

This is another key area, as the sedentary habits and dietary changes associated with modern lifestyles are thought to be contributing to the rising number of cases.

Introducing dietary changes, exercise and weight management strategies may help as preventative measures, while also helping you understand your risk.

"What distinguishes early-onset colon cancer from the cases typically seen in older adults, and what does this mean for my health?"

The cases on the rise among younger people are also often diagnosed at a later stage, with many young patients given a diagnosis when the disease is advanced.

Men, meanwhile, have a higher incident rate than women.

While these details may seem scary, knowing how different groups of people have different risk levels is important, as it not only prompts risk management tailored to the individual, but also proactive screening.

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