The role of faecal calprotectin in diagnosis and staging of colorectal neoplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ross, F. A., Park, J. H. , Mansouri, D. , Combet, E. , Horgan, P. G. , McMillan, D. C. and Roxburgh, C. S.D. (2022) The role of faecal calprotectin in diagnosis and staging of colorectal neoplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Gastroenterology, 22, 176. (doi: 10.1186/s12876-022-02220-1)

Abstract

Introduction: The presence of inflammation is a key hallmark of cancer and, plays an important role in disease progression and survival in colorectal cancer (CRC). Calprotectin detected in the faeces is a sensitive measure of colonic inflammation. The role of FC as a diagnostic test that may categorise patients by risk of neoplasia is poorly defined. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to characterise the relationship between elevations of FC and colorectal neoplasia. Methods: A systematic review was performed using the keywords (MESH terms) and a statistical and meta-analysis was performed. Results: A total of 35 studies are included in this review. CRC patients are more likely than controls to have an elevated FC OR 5.19, 95% CI 3.12–8.62, p < 0.001 with a heterogeneity (I2 = 27%). No tumour characteristics significantly correlated with FC, only stage of CRC shows signs that it may potentially correlate with FC. Conclusion: FC levels are significantly higher in CRC, with high sensitivity. Its low specificity prevents it from being used to diagnose or screen for CRC.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Park, Mr James and Mansouri, Dr David and Horgan, Professor Paul and Combet Aspray, Professor Emilie and McMillan, Professor Donald and Ross, Dr Fiona and Roxburgh, Professor Campbell

Creator Roles

Ross, F.: Formal analysis, Investigation, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing, Visualization, Project administration
Park, J.: Conceptualization, Writing – review and editing, Supervision
Mansouri, D.: Writing – review and editing, Supervision
Combet Aspray, E.: Writing – review and editing, Supervision
Horgan, P.: Supervision
McMillan, D.: Supervision
Roxburgh, C.: Conceptualization, Writing – review and editing, Supervision

• Authors: Ross, F. A., Park, J. H., Mansouri, D., Combet, E., Horgan, P. G., McMillan, D. C., and Roxburgh, C. S.D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: BMC Gastroenterology
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• ISSN: 1471-230X
• ISSN (Online): 1471-230X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in BMC Gastroenterology 22:176
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License