New RNA Molecules Can Help Predict Bowel Cancer Recurrence

Image: The bowel cancer breakthrough could result in better treatment outcomes (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Colorectal cancer accounts for 10% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide and was ranked as the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States in 2022. Currently, clinicians face diagnostic challenges due to the absence of effective prognostic markers to determine whether a patient with early-stage bowel cancer should only undergo tumor removal or require additional chemotherapy, particularly if the cancer exhibits aggressive characteristics that might lead to a relapse later in life. Now, researchers have identified new RNA molecules that could aid doctors in predicting the likelihood of bowel cancer recurrence. This advancement could allow healthcare professionals to categorize early-stage colorectal cancer patients into groups based on their risk of developing metastasis and disease recurrence, ultimately improving treatment outcomes. High-risk patients could receive further chemotherapy, while those at lower risk could avoid unnecessary overtreatment.

In a study conducted by the University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand), researchers examined patient tissues from the Dunedin Colorectal Cancer Cohort to identify three long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that were present exclusively in cancer cells and absent in any healthy tissues. The researchers found that elevated levels of these lncRNAs correlated with poorer patient outcomes, suggesting their potential as prognostic indicators. This study, published in npj Precision Oncology, holds particular significance for regions with high rates of bowel cancer, highlighting the urgent need for clinical advancements in managing this disease.

“We used some exciting technologies to do this research, including spatial transcriptomics – using a picture of the tumor like a map to see exactly where genes are turned off or on – and AI, to help us predict what types of cells are present in the tumors,” said lead author Holly Pinkney, PhD candidate in the Department of Biochemistry. “The development of new technologies, such as the spatial mapping of tumors or AI to make predictions about different parts of the tumor, are important for helping us do this research and highlight how new scientific developments can be harnessed for cancer research.”