Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), through the Institute of Medical Molecular Biology (UMBI), has signed an MoU with Mirxes, an RNA technology company headquartered in Singapore to develop an early detection test for colorectal cancer using blood in Malaysia.
Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer detected among men and the second most common among Malaysian women. It is also the third highest contributor to cancer deaths in Malaysia.
The currently used Immunochemical Faecal Occult Blood Test (iFOBT) detects blood in the stool but its sensitivity level is low in the early stages of colorectal cancer. Blood-based tests will advance the screening and early detection of colorectal cancer in Malaysia while making it more accurate, convenient and accessible.
Early detection of cancer improves treatment success and patient survival. The partnership between UKM and Mirxes paves the way for the potential development and commercialization of blood-based early cancer detection tests for stomach and lung cancer in Malaysia. This test has the potential to generate income of up to RM400 million in the next five years.