Publications by authors named "Knud T Nielsen"

Background: Blood-based, cancer-associated biomarkers may detect subjects at risk of having neoplastic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether elevated serological protein biomarker levels may identify adenoma patients, who are at increased risk of being diagnosed with subsequent primary malignancy.

Methods: Levels of CEA, CA19-9, TIMP-1 and YKL-40 were determined in blood samples collected prior to diagnostic bowel endoscopy due to symptoms of colorectal neoplasia.

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Introduction: Most of the subjects undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy do not have neoplastic bowel lesions. Potentially, some of the symptoms may therefore be caused by extracolonic malignancy, and subjects with persisting symptoms may need subsequent examinations. Blood-based, cancer-associated biomarkers may aid in directing the examinations for other specific malignant diseases.

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Serological biomarkers may be an option for early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study assessed eight cancer-associated protein biomarkers in plasma from subjects undergoing first time ever colonoscopy due to symptoms attributable to colorectal neoplasia. Plasma AFP, CA19-9, CEA, hs-CRP, CyFra21-1, Ferritin, Galectin-3 and TIMP-1 were determined in EDTA-plasma using the Abbott ARCHITECT® automated immunoassay platform.

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Background: Well-collected and well-documented sample repositories are necessary for disease biomarker development. The availability of significant numbers of samples with the associated patient information enables biomarker validation to proceed with maximum efficacy and minimum bias. The creation and utilization of such a resource is an important step in the development of blood-based biomarker tests for colorectal cancer.

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Background: Frequently, subjects offered colonoscopy due to symptoms of colorectal neoplasia are diagnosed with diverticula. The symptoms may, however, also be related to extra-colonic neoplasia. The present retrospective study evaluated a possible association between increased levels of predefined biomarkers in subjects diagnosed with diverticula and risk of developing a primary malignant disease.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examined the relationship between higher levels of cancer-related biomarkers in patients with no detected issues during a large bowel endoscopy and their risk of developing malignant diseases over time.
  • Increased levels of biomarkers TIMP-1, CEA, CA19-9, and YKL-40 were linked to a higher likelihood of subsequent malignancy, with statistical significance noted in the analysis.
  • Specifically, the risk of developing malignant diseases within 5 years was greater for those with one or more elevated biomarkers, suggesting that even in the absence of visible pathology, raised biomarker levels can be an important indicator of future health risks.
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The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that high serum YKL-40 associates with colorectal cancer in subjects at risk of colorectal cancer. We measured serum YKL-40 in a prospective study of 4,496 Danish subjects [2,064 men, 2,432 women, median age 61 years (range, 18-97)] referred to endoscopy due to symptoms or other risk factors for colorectal cancer. Blood samples were collected just before large bowel endoscopy.

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Despite intended curative resection, colorectal cancer will recur in ∼45% of the patients. Results of meta-analyses conclude that frequent follow-up does not lead to early detection of recurrence, but improves overall survival. The present literature shows that several factors play important roles in development of recurrence.

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Screening programmes for colorectal cancer (CRC) are being implemented in various countries worldwide including Denmark. The majority of programmes rely on faecal occult blood testing with subsequent colonoscopy. This approach is challenged by limited compliance, which reduces the efficiency of the screening programme.

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Objective: Results from monitoring studies using biomarkers in blood samples aiming at early detection of recurrent colorectal cancer (CRC) are presently evaluated. However, some serological biomarker levels are influenced by the surgical trauma, which may complicate translation of the levels in relation to recurrence. The primary purpose of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of postoperative surgical interventions during a follow-up period of patients who have undergone surgery for primary CRC.

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Introduction: A new diagnostic strategy for evaluation of patients with symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer involves an increased use of flexible sigmoidoscopy. The number of endoscopists is declining, and therefore we found it interesting to describe a endoscopy training programme for the first two Danish nurses.

Materials And Methods: Two nurses were enrolled in a five-module practical training programme including a multiple-choice test and simulator training.

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