Patent AT-E401420-T1: [Translated] DNA DETECTION USING PRIMERS WHICH HYBRIDISE WITH NON-FRAGMENTED DNA

The present invention provides a method of detecting non-apoptotic DNA in clinical samples. In particular there is provided a novel screening methodology for the detection of colorectal carcinoma. Cancer results from genetic mutations which result in uncontrolled and unregulated cell growth. Apoptosis does not occur in cancerous cells and thus the DNA remains unfragmented. Colorectal cancer results from mutations which occur in varying sites of the DNA. Accordingly there is no ubiquitous marker specific to colorectal tumour cells. The present invention provides the finding that the presence of specific fragments of DNA can be used to diagnose cancer irrespective of the point of DNA mutation. The method includes the step of obtaining a suitable sample, extracting the DNA therefrom and then amplifying and separating the fragments by electrophoresis in order to detect the presence of banding which is indicative of non-fragmented DNA derived from cancerous cells.