Collaborative research into the causes of early-onset bowel cancer received a significant boost today with the establishment of an inaugural $5.8 million Early-Onset Bowel Cancer Centre of Research Excellence.
To be known as the Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) ARTEMIS, the Centre's five-year research program will investigate the aetiology, risk factors, tumourigenesis, exposures, microbiome and immune susceptibilities that are underlying early-onset bowel cancer.
Bowel Cancer Australia has committed $3 million to establish one of the nation's most esteemed and leading team of researchers, clinicians, and people with lived experience who will collaborate to identify what is causing the alarming increase in early-onset bowel cancer, supported by additional funding of $2.8 million from participating institutions and partners.
One of Australia's pre-eminent early-onset bowel cancer researchers, Associate Professor Dan Buchanan, will lead CRE ARTEMIS and its 22-member team across multiple disciplines, from six universities, four research institutes, and four hospitals and health services, who will work together over the next five years and focus on three connected themes:
- Understanding how the gut microbiome influences the development of early-onset bowel cancer.
- Creating a detailed molecular atlas to map the changes that occur from normal bowel tissue to early-onset polyps and ultimately bowel cancer.
- Using functional testing and preclinical models to investigate the causes and pathways of early-onset bowel cancer.
A/Prof Buchanan said the CRE was named after Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, reflecting the team's determination to track down what is causing early-onset bowel cancer and the alarming rise of the disease in young Australians.
"We are all very committed to working together to identify the causes and mechanisms contributing towards the development and increasing rates of early-onset bowel cancer over the next five years," A/Prof Buchanan said.
"My research is grounded in the view that contemporary early-onset bowel cancer is a new type of disease with multiple causes and risk factors related to modern day living."
"There are different combinations of inherited risk, environmental exposures, microbiome changes, immune susceptibility and tumour biology that could increase a young person's risk and result in a diagnosis," A/Prof Buchanan said.
"We are hoping to molecularly 'tease apart' these cancers to really understand what's driving them and pinpoint the role of the gut microbiome in cancer development. From this, we will build evidence for more targeted approaches to assessing people's risk that will guide a personalised prevention, screening and care pathway."
"CRE ARTEMIS will also train and mentor the next generation of early-onset bowel cancer researchers, developing a national workforce with the cross-disciplinary skills needed to drive innovation in prevention, early detection and future treatment," A/Prof Buchanan added.
Bowel Cancer Australia CEO Julien Wiggins said the charity was excited to collaborate with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and provide funding through the Centres of Research Excellence (CRE) scheme to improve health outcomes and promote translation of research outcomes into policy and/or practice for early-onset bowel cancer.
"One of Bowel Cancer Australia's key objectives in establishing CRE ARTEMIS is to put Australia at the forefront of research efforts that would lead to improved outcomes for young people here and globally."
"CRE ARTEMIS will create a focal point of expertise that fosters and facilitates national collaborative research endeavours focused on the cause of the increase in early-onset bowel cancer," Mr Wiggins said.
"It will strengthen the capacity and capability of the early-onset bowel cancer research community, while ensuring lived-experience advocates are integral to all stages of research design and implementation."
"Bowel Cancer Australia's $3m commitment to establish CRE ARTEMIS has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the charity's donors and fundraisers," he added.
Bowel Cancer Australia's investment is at a time when Australia is experiencing the highest rates of early-onset bowel cancer in the world.
1-in-8 Australians diagnosed with bowel cancer are aged under 50, and the risk of being diagnosed before age 40 has more than doubled since the year 2000.
Almost 1,900 young Australians are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year.
