February 23, 2024
2 minute read
Cleveland Clinic researchers have identified differences in tumor-associated bacteria that may improve our understanding of early-onset colorectal cancer.
The survey results are e-biomedicine, This may lead to new screening and treatment approaches for this patient population.
According to statistics from the American Cancer Society, the incidence of young-onset colorectal cancer (defined as cases younger than 50 years) is increasing by 1.5% annually.
“This study is a first step in exploring factors that may be involved in the increase in early-onset colorectal cancer.” Simoli V. Barot, MD; a medical oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute told Healio. “Now that we have identified the tumor bacteria, we can use this information to devise strategies to address this challenge.”
Helio spoke to Barot about the findings and how this information can be used to improve treatment and diagnosis of young-onset colorectal cancer.
Helio: What inspired you to conduct this research??
Ballot: At our hospital, the number of young patients with colorectal cancer is increasing. Studies have investigated the role of genetics, but a small number of these patients are found to be genetically linked to early-onset colorectal cancer. Because microbiome disturbances are associated with cancer, we hypothesized that lifestyle and environmental changes may influence these bacteria, causing an increase in early-onset colorectal cancer. Ta.
Helio: How did you conduct this research?
Ballot: We compared 136 patients younger than 50 years who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer with 140 patients who were 60 years or older and diagnosed with colorectal cancer. We collected tumor samples and adjacent normal tissues from all patients. We performed 16S ribosomal RNA analysis to study the microbiome within tumors and assessed whether and how bacteria differed between groups.
Helio: what did you find?
Ballot: The bacteria associated with early-onset colorectal cancer tumors are very different from those found in the average-onset disease. Bacterial diversity was much higher in younger patients, and younger patients had more left-sided and rectal tumors. Younger patients were more likely to have stage IV or metastatic disease than patients with average-onset colorectal cancer. The two main bacteria we recognized in young colorectal cancer patients were: aKukermansia and BActeroides. Bacteria within the tumor also interacted differently in younger patients.
Helio: “What?” Are there potential implications of these findings?
Ballot: Now that we know the main bacteria associated with early-onset colorectal cancer, we can take the next step and learn how they act, what they produce, and how they interact with the immune system to explain these changes. You can investigate what is causing this. We can investigate whether these bacteria can be used as detection markers to predict which patients are at high risk for these cancers. Our findings may also have implications from a preventive treatment perspective. For example, you can consider developing probiotics and antibiotics that promote good bacteria and kill bad bacteria.
Our findings may also have therapeutic implications. Akkermansia Because it is associated with immunotherapy response, it may be of use among younger patients. It opens up many avenues, from prevention to diagnosis to treatment.
Helio: “What?” What’s the next step in your research?
Ballot: This bacteria should be compared to bacteria in people who do not have colorectal cancer. We then seek to elucidate the role bacteria play in the pathogenesis of early-onset colorectal cancer. We will learn what these bacteria secrete, how they interact with the immune system around the tumor area, and how the immune system is prepared to fight these bacteria. I would like to find out if there is.
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For more information:
Shimori V. Ballot, medical doctor, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195. Email: barots@ccf.org.