Gene silencing in colorectal cancer may prove useful

New finding suggests an easy test to see who needs further screening

A gene that is frequently switched off in colorectal cancer cells seems to help the cancer but may also make it easy to detect, scientists say. Conveniently, the modification that silences the NDRG4 gene can often be spotted in stool samples, providing an inexpensive test, the researchers report in the July 1 Journal of the National Cancer Institute.