Bowel cancer under the microscope: the Kingston perspective

Patients with bowel cancer – the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United Kingdom – could enjoy increased survival rates as a result of new research led by an expert from London’s Kingston University. Professor Helmout Modjtahedi is heading an investigation that is examining why some tumours are hard to treat and how they can be targeted with the most effective therapies.

During the study, specimens from patients with tumours of the colon or rectum – colorectal or bowel cancer – will be examined using biomarker proteins on the surface of cells. This will help to pinpoint which individuals are most likely to benefit from specific therapies, particularly two new antibody-based drugs. As the drugs cost tens of thousands of pounds a year, targeting their use would help health authorities reduce costs, while patients who would not benefit from them could be spared the trauma of unnecessary treatment and offered an alternative instead.

Far-reaching work
The Kingston researchers are aiming to develop a diagnostic test to demonstrate which patients will respond to specific treatments. “This is something that will have a huge impact, not just for colorectal cancer sufferers, but also for people with other forms of the disease such as lung, breast, head or neck cancer,” Professor Modjtahedi said. “This is because these patients may also be treated with antibodies or small molecule inhibitors targeted at the antigens under investigation. We hope our far-reaching work will improve patients’ lives as well as help health authorities direct their resources where they are most needed. We anticipate it will play a significant role in the response, survival and cure rates for patients.” The two-year study, due to conclude in April 2015, has attracted £107,000 in funding from cancer charity BRIGHT (Better Research into Gastrointestinal Cancer Health and Treatment), based at St Luke’s Cancer Centre at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford.