However, if colorectal cancer is detected early, the chances of recovery are significantly higher. That is why Hahn-Schickard is working with project partners at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and the German Cancer Research Center to develop new methods for detecting cancer in blood samples.

A promising new approach to the early detection of colorectal cancer, or CRC for short, has now been published in the journal Analytical Chemistry by the research team led by Dr. Peter Jülg, group leader for liquid biopsy.

The article “Coupling Immunoprecipitation with Multiplexed Digital PCR for Cell-Free DNA Methylation Detection in Small Plasma Volumes of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer” describes a blood test based on the innovative combination of two established methods: immunoprecipitation and multiplex digital PCR.