Kaunas Colorectal Cancer Screening Cohort

• Funding source: -
• Grant agreement number: -
• Date: October 2024 – December 2027
• Description: Kaunas-CRCscreening is a prospective observational cohort. The cohort integrates colonoscopy findings with faecal and serum/plasma samples and prospectively collected clinical, demographic, lifestyle and medication data from individuals undergoing colorectal cancer screening. All clinical procedures are performed as part of routine colorectal cancer screening and clinical care (ethical approval No. P3-BE-2-31/2018). The primary objective is to establish a clinically characterised biobank supporting the discovery and validation of novel biomarkers and risk-prediction approaches for colorectal cancer and advanced precancerous lesions. The cohort enables the investigation of microbiome-derived and circulating biomarkers, their integration with clinical risk factors, and the development of more accurate and less invasive approaches to colorectal cancer screening. Recruitment and biobanking began in October 2024 and are ongoing, with a target enrolment of 450 participants. Currently, 365 participants have been enrolled (Aug 2026), including individuals with colorectal cancer, advanced adenomas and non-neoplastic findings. The cohort is designed to support retrospective biomarker discovery and risk-model development, as well as prospective validation through continued recruitment and clinical follow-up. It is an observational study, and no investigational intervention is administered.