Cancer Microbiology Group

Guided visualization of high-risk cancer precursor lesions

Sessile serrated lesions (SSLs) are considered precursors for the majority of right-sided CRC, but hard to detect during colonoscopy because of their flat and non-ulcerated nature. It is expected that at least 17% of these precursor lesions are missed during colonoscopy.

Bacterial biofilms are frequently present on right-sided CRC, and in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis coli, and hence biofilms potentially could be a surrogate marker for precursor lesions.

In this project we define whether biofilms occur on conventional adenomas and sessile serrated lesions and whether they can be used to improve detection of high-risk adenomas during colonoscopy.

This project is funded by the Dutch cancer research foundation (KWF) and a personal awarded NWO OffRoad.

Biofilms as risk factor for neoplasia development

In ulcerative colitis (UC) chronic inflammation may lead to the development of mucosal dysplasia that can progress to colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CRC). The altered colonic microbiota has been related to the chronic inflammation in UC, but so far no clear bacterial profile has been associated with an increased risk of colonic neoplasia. The inner mucosal layer of UC patients is frequently covered with bacteria in an adherent polymeric matrix, so-called biofilms. These biofilms may allow migration of bacteria and pro-oncogenic bacterial products.

In this project we aim to identify whether biofilms appear to be a risk factor for neoplasia development in UC. Biofilms could be the missing link between the alterations in colonic microbiota, instigation of chronic inflammation in IBD and pathogenesis of neoplasia.

This project is funded by a personal NWO Veni award and the NVGE.

The metastatic microbiome

Metastasis are the main cause of mortality for colorectal cancer. Increasing evidence shows that intestinal microbiota can effect CRC initiation and progression. However, it is less clear what their influence is on metastasis.

Our main aim is to provide a proof of concept for the functional relevance of either intestinal or hepatic microbiota on the formation and development of CRC liver metastasis. To this end we will compare primary and metastatic tumours form patients, and utilize an orthotopic mouse model for CRC metastasis.

Identifying if and how the microbial component contributes to (liver) metastasis will fill a gap in our knowledge. More importantly, more fully understanding the metastatic process will contribute to new leads for the treatment of metastatic cancer.

This project is funded by the Dutch Cancer research foundation (KWF).

The breast-gut microbiome axis in ER+ breast cancer

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is effective in only 21% of women with breast cancer. It is therefore important to understand the factors that may influence outcome of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

The gut microbiome potentially plays a role via the reuptake of hormones from the gut, or by suppressing or stimulating the immune systems that attacks the tumour.

Our aim is to identify the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the local breast and gut microbiome and how this influences the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment.

This project is funded by the Radboudumc-MUMC alliance fund and is performed in collaboration with Prof. Marjolein Smidts from MUMC.