Paula Istvan, Einar Birkeland, Ekaterina Avershina, Ane Soerlie Kvaerner, Vahid Bemanian, Barbara Pardini, Sonia Tarallo, Willem M. de Vos, Torbjoern Rognes, Paula Berstad & Trine B Rounge (2024).
Exploring the gut DNA virome in fecal immunochemical test stool samples reveals associations with lifestyle in a large population-based study.Nature Communications. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46033-0
In recent years, our understanding of the microbiome, the communities of microorganisms inhabiting our bodies, particularly in the gut, has evolved significantly, revealing their crucial role in health and disease. Gut microbes, including bacteria and viruses, influence various aspects of our well-being, extending beyond gastrointestinal issues to immunological disorders and even colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite rising CRC rates globally, early detection methods like the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) often miss pre-cancerous lesions. The CRCbiome project, led by Prof. Rounge, aims to enhance FIT's efficacy by incorporating gut microbiome data from the test samples. Our research, utilizing over 1000 FIT samples, demonstrates the feasibility of analyzing the gut virome through these tests. Here we have uncovered diverse viral communities, strongly linked to lifestyle factors like smoking, exercise, and diet, suggesting the potential for personalized risk assessment and preventive measures against CRC development.
Einar Birkeland, Giulio Ferrero, Barbara Pardini, Sinan U. Umu, Sonia Tarallo, Sara Bulfamante, Geir Hoff, Carlo Senore, Trine B Rounge, Alessio Naccarati (2023).
Profiling small RNAs in fecal immunochemical tests: is it possible? Mol Cancer. doi: 10.1186/s12943-023-01869-w
In order to discover new non-invasive biomarkers for gastrointestinal diseases, there is a need for analysis of large biobanks. Regular population-wide sampling is commonly done in colorectal cancer screening programs with sampling optimized for detection of occult blood. In this study, we wanted to evaluate how these samples are suited for analysis of small RNAs. Small RNAs are produced by both humans and bacteria, acting as regulators of gene expression. Previous research has shown how these small RNAs are associated with risk of colorectal cancer. Here, we showed that small RNAs were robustly detected in samples collected as part of regular screening, at similar rates to those of standard methodology for fecal small RNA analysis. Even with limited power, we detected miRNA associations with the presence of colorectal cancer and its precursors, indicating the potential for biomarker discovery in small RNA analysis of colorectal cancer screening samples.
Ane Sørlie Kværner, Astrid Riseth Andersen, Hege Berg Henriksen, Markus Knudsen, Anne Marte Wetting Johansen, Anette Hjartåker, Siv Kjølsrud Bøhn, Ingvild Paur, Gro Wiedswang, Sigbjørn Smeland, Trine B. Rounge, Rune Blomhoff, Paula Berstad (2023).
Associations of the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute of Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) Cancer Prevention Recommendations with Stages of Colorectal Carcinogenesis. Cancer Medicine. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.6119
PublishedMay 12, 2023 10:42 AM - Last modifiedMay 27, 2024 3:07 PM