Researchers at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute presented novel developments in the early detection and prognosis of high-risk colorectal cancers, noninvasive biomarkers for gastric cancer and early detection of esophageal cancer at this year's Digestive Disease Week® (DDW). The event is the world's largest and most prestigious gathering of physicians, researchers and academics, featuring the latest advances in gastrointestinal research and innovation.
The researchers were among 14,000 participants who attended the annual conference. Two of the Baylor Scott & White Health research abstracts were selected as distinguished plenary sessions—representing the top one percent of abstracts—and one ranked within the top 10 percent of all American Gastroenterological Association abstracts at DDW.
Researchers' findings examined the role of non-coding RNAs in the development of various gastrointestinal cancers. This has become important in recent years, as microRNA play a critical role in the identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers—keys to the early detection and treatment of disease.
"There's a growing recognition that cancer is a preventable disease, especially if you are able to find it early enough. The research we presented puts us at the forefront of developing noninvasive, blood-based diagnostics that can be used for the early detection of disease, disease monitoring and therapeutic treatments," said Ajay Goel, Ph.D., director of gastrointestinal research and translational genomics and oncology at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute.
Advancing Knowledge of Colorectal Cancer
Several abstracts presented breakthroughs in the understanding and prevention of colorectal cancer, the third most common type of cancer in the U.S. In the plenary session, "Plasma levels of piRNAs as biomarkers for prognosis and predicting tumor recurrence in colorectal cancer patients," researchers identified new piRNA expression patterns and clinically useful biomarkers to predict the prognosis and tumor recurrence in colorectal cancer. Another abstract presented novel clusters of microRNA frequently overexpressed in colorectal patients, suggesting its potential usefulness as an important biomarker for the identification of high-risk patients that may benefit from more aggressive chemotherapy.
"Recent studies have indicated the important role of microRNA in understanding the pathogenesis of cancers," said Shusuke Toden, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in epigenetics and cancer prevention at Baylor Scott & White, and lead author of "Identification of a miRNA cluster with prognostic biomarker potential in colorectal cancer." "Now, with new sequencing technology, we are able to examine thousands of microRNA to better characterize and understand what is happening on the molecular level in certain cancers."
Researchers also identified the first gene expression signature that could detect high-risk colorectal cancer patients with poor prognosis who may benefit from aggressive treatment, while preventing the overtreatment of low-risk colorectal patients.
Early Diagnostics for Esophageal and Gastric Cancers
Like colorectal cancer, researches explored important microRNA as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers in pancreatic and gastric cancers. Using a systematic and comprehensive biomarker discovery, they identified a new microRNA signature that offers a promise for noninvasive, early detection of these types of gastrointestinal cancers.
Breakthroughs in the early detection of esophageal cancer-- the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide—were also presented in a plenary session, "A novel miRNA-based, non-invasive, diagnostic panel for detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma." Examining the largest cohort of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the most common type of esophageal cancer, researchers developed and validated a novel and robust microRNA-based panel for the early detection of the disease. The research also distinguished the early stages of esophageal cancer with a 72 percent sensitivity—which is far superior to current tumor markers and conventional imaging techniques.
"Our impact on translational research is only as good as our ability to validate our models and to move on to prospective cohorts," said Raju Kandimalla, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow in epigenetics and cancer prevention at Baylor Scott & White. "Through Digestive Disease Week, we received tremendous interest in further collaboration, which is an exciting prospect in validating and moving our research forward to help patients."
At Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, award-winning scientists and medical professionals lead more than 2,000 research studies across the clinical spectrum that are designed to improve the care and well-being of the community, both nationally and internationally. For more information on the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, visit www.bswhealth.com/research.
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About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com