March marks the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Coincidentally, this week saw the launch of the CARE-CRC clinical study, led by Ana Santos Almeida, principal investigator of a translational laboratory at the GIMM Foundation (GIMM CARE). The study will take place at the Champalimaud Foundation, in collaboration with surgeon José Azevedo, and at Hospital de Santa Maria, with the participation of oncologists Luís Costa and André Mansinho.

Colorectal cancer poses a significant public health challenge in Portugal, being the most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country. Recent data indicate over 10,500 new cases of colorectal cancer each year, leading to an average of 12 deaths per day. In recent years, there has also been a concerning rise in the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer among individuals under 50.

The CARE-CRC study aims to develop a non-invasive diagnostic tool based on the microbiome, identifying biomarkers to enhance colorectal cancer detection, personalize treatments, and reduce healthcare costs. Additionally, the study’s findings may provide insights into how lifestyle, diet, and microbiome alterations influence colorectal cancer progression, potentially leading to personalized prevention strategies and improved therapeutic outcomes.

Over a 12-month period, this longitudinal study will recruit 400 patients aged 40 to 74 with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer who have not yet started treatment. Stool samples will be collected at three key time points: at diagnosis and study entry, after the completion of each treatment regimen, and three years post-diagnosis. These samples will enable an in-depth analysis of the gut microbiome using metagenomic sequencing. The ultimate goal is to identify correlations between microbiome composition and clinical outcomes, including therapeutic responses, which could pave the way for new solutions for colorectal cancer.