Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) have secured funding from the US-based Colorectal Cancer Alliance to examine how fat tissue affects the development and progression of colorectal cancer.
ARU is the only university outside North America to receive one of the five latest grants from the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s Project Cure CRC, which aims to eradicate colorectal cancer. The other recipients are Indiana University, University of California, San Francisco, University of Saskatchewan, and Georgetown University.
ARU’s project, led by Dr Caterina Suelzu alongside Dr Gabriele Strusi, is investigating how fat tissue impacts the development and treatment of colorectal cancer in both healthy and obese individuals.
Dr Suelzu’s team will create a complex 3D model of fat cells and cancer cells, called an assembloid, to replicate the colorectal cancer microenvironment and gain a better understanding of these interactions.
Dr Suelzu, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at ARU, said: “It is an honour to receive this award of $100,000 from the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s Project Cure CRC. The funding will help us contribute to our shared mission of advancing our understanding of colorectal cancer development, progression, and spread.
“Obesity is a global issue and we know it is a recognised risk factor for colorectal cancer. Our work will further investigate the complex relationship between fat and cancer, which is still not fully understood.”
Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences at ARU and Dr Suelzu’s supervisor, said: “Despite being the third most common cancer and the cause of the second highest number of cancer deaths worldwide, colorectal cancer remains less known and receives less funding compared to many other types of cancers.
“Our new project at ARU aims to enhance our knowledge of the tumour microenvironment, uncover new molecules crucial for cancer growth and ultimately help develop more effective treatments for colorectal cancer. By decoding the dynamics between fat cells and cancer cells, we hope to improve outcomes for patients.”
Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, said: “Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men under 50 and second leading cause for all men and women combined, yet it is still grossly underfunded.
“We initiated Project Cure CRC to make a difference in outcomes for the millions of people affected by this disease, and are committed to working with experts, industry, and donors to achieve that goal.”
Image: Dr Caterina Suelzu Anglia Ruskin University
