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Treatment is often unsuccessful and can have serious side effects
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosis, with a survival rate of about 65%. However, the treatment is often unsuccessful and can have serious side effects. A consortium of organisations, led by Maastricht UMC+, will receive a grant of €1.8 million from NWO for research into personalized treatment of this form of cancer, with a view to a higher chance of survival and quality of life.
Various organisations, including patient organisations, colleges and university hospitals, have joined forces to target metastatic colorectal cancer. This is based on the existing treatment, chemotherapy based on the drug irinotecan.
Major cons
The current treatment method has advantages, but also disadvantages: it is impossible to predict in advance who will benefit from chemotherapy and who will not. In addition, a number of patients suffer from serious side effects such as fever and severe diarrhoea, which require regular hospitalization. Both of these disadvantages have a major negative impact on the quality of life of the treated patients.
Less treatment, more results
Research leader professor of oncological surgery Marjolein Smidt (Maastricht UMC+) strives for more targeted treatment: ‘My mission is: less treatment with more results. Therefore, it is necessary to research ways to predict whether someone will benefit from this form of chemotherapy at all. In addition, it is crucial that we determine indicators with which we can optimize the treatment, for example in terms of dosage. Finally, we want to be able to make a risk estimate for the risk of serious diarrhea and even anticipate it in advance.’
Three elements for optimal treatment
In this study, under the name OPTIMA, the researchers are therefore going to work with three elements. First, analysis of poo bacteria to determine whether people are at risk for diarrhea as a side effect. Secondly, genetic research into cells in the tumor, which doctors can use to determine whether the tumor is sensitive to the drug irinotecan. Thirdly, genetic testing based on blood samples can be used to determine which dose of chemotherapy is optimal for the treatment.
Consortium:
Maastricht UMC+ (coordination);
Wageningen University & Research;
Fontys University of Applied Sciences:
Amsterdam UMC;
Erasmus MC;
Catherine Hospital;
University of North Carolina (USA);
Zuyd University of Applied Sciences;
Wageningen Research Foundation;
Van Weel-Bethesda Hospital;
VieCuri Medical Center for North Limburg;
Gelderse Vallei hospital;
Danone Nutricia Research;
Clinical Trial Center Maastricht B.V.;
Dutch Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG);
Oncology patientenpanel MUMC+;
Prospective Rural CRC Cohort (PLCRC);
Stichting Kanker.nl;
CZ health insurer;
National Working Group Dieticians Oncology (LWDO).
Additional information …
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- Name author and/or edited by: Maastricht UMC+
- Photographer or photo agency: : INGImages
- Source for this article: : Maastricht UMC+
- What is the URL for this resource?: https://www.mumc.nl/actueel/nieuws/grootschalig-onderzoek-naar-gepersonaliseerde-behandeling-bij-uitgezaaide
- Original title: Large-scale study into personalized treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer
- Target audience: Healthcare Professionals, Students
- Date: 2022-03-28