Colorectal Cancer & the Microbiome
It’s becoming increasingly clear that colorectal cancer – the third most common cancer worldwide – is intricately linked to microbes in the gut. The OPTIMISTICC team, in collaboration with Colorectal Cancer Canada has produced a webinar describing the project through discussions between the scientists and patient advocates on the team. The OPTIMISTICC team is a Cancer Grand Challenges Team funded by Cancer Research UK.
Webinar Objectives
To educate and inform the lay colorectal cancer community about:
- The role of the gut microbiome in human health and disease
- The association of the microbiome with colorectal cancer
- Possible implications for prevention and screening of colorectal cancer
- How lifestyle factors such as diet and antibiotic use may impact the microbiome
- Novel treatment strategies for CRC (e.g. vaccines, immunotherapy)
Opening Remarks
Join our moderator Anne Marie Wright (Elements Strategies Inc.), Barry Stein (President & CEO of Colorectal Cancer Canada), Jess Sutcliffe (Research Programme Manager, Cancer Grand Challenges) and Jodi Hirschman (Research Program Manager, OPTIMISTICC) for an overview of the Cancer Grand Challenges OPTIMISTICC project and Introduction to the Microbiome.
In Session 1, Laura Porter (Patient Advocate) and Margaret Grayson (Patient Advocate) share their experiences as patient advocates and the importance of their involvement in cancer research.
Work Package 1: The Impact of the Microbiome on Colorectal Cancer Risk, Prevention and CRC Screening
In this session, Phil Quirke (OPTIMISTICC co-investigator), John Barnes (OPTIMISTICC patient advocate) and Barry Stein (President & CEO, Colorectal Cancer Canada) discuss the goals and outcomes of Work Package 1.
Work Package 2: Environmental and Lifestyle Factors that affect the Microbiome
In this session, Shuji Ogino (OPTIMISTICC co-investigator), Lee Jones (OPTIMISTICC patient advocate) and Barry Stein (President & CEO, Colorectal Cancer Canada) discuss the goals and outcomes of Work Package 2.
Work Package 3: The Location of the Microbiome and its Impact on Potential Therapies
In this session, Marios Giannakis (OPTIMISTICC co-investigator), Marielle Santos McLeod (OPTIMISTICC patient advocate) and Barry Stein (President & CEO, Colorectal Cancer Canada) discuss the goals and outcomes of Work Package 3.
Work Package 4: Learning from Model Systems: Transforming the Microbiome to Impact Cancer Risk
In this session, Hans Clevers (OPTIMISTICC co-investigator), Candace Henley (OPTIMISTICC patient advocate) and Barry Stein (President & CEO, Colorectal Cancer Canada) discuss the goals and outcomes of Work Package 4.
Work Package 5: The Microbiome and Colorectal Cancer Treatments
In this session, Josep Tabernero (OPTIMISTICC co-investigator), Carlos Hue (OPTIMISTICC patient advocate) and Barry Stein (President & CEO, Colorectal Cancer Canada) discuss the goals and outcomes of Work Package 5.
Work Package 6: Targeting the Microbiome to Improve Outcomes for Colorectal Cancer Patients
In this session, Rob Holt (OPTIMISTICC co-investigator), Emma Allen Vercoe (OPTIMISTICC co-investigator), Anita Mitchell Isler (OPTIMISTICC patient advocate) and Barry Stein (President & CEO, Colorectal Cancer Canada) discuss the goals and outcomes of Work Package 6.
Session 7: Early Age Onset Colorectal Cancer and the Microbiome
In this session, Kimmie Ng (OPTIMISTICC co-investigator), Marielle Santos McLeod (OPTIMISTICC patient advocate) and Barry Stein (President & CEO, Colorectal Cancer Canada) discuss the microbiome and its potential connection to early age onset colorectal cancer.
Q&A Panel and Closing Remarks
Join our moderator Anne Marie Wright (Elements Strategies Inc.), Cynthia Sears (Co-Investigator, OPTIMISTICC), Laura Porter (Patient Advocate), and Jodi Hirschman (Research Program Manager, OPTIMISTICC) for a Q&A panel followed by Closing Remarks from Barry Stein (President & CEO, Colorectal Cancer Canada).