Home >  Oncology MDTV >  Oncology Shorts >  Study Finds Promising...

Study Finds Promising Biomarker for Tailoring Chemotherapy in Colon Cancer Patients

By - Yakshi Chugh
Published On 2024-07-29 02:30 GMT   |   Update On 2024-07-29 02:30 GMT
Advertisement
In a recent study published in a journal cell report medicine, researchers discovered that many people with stage II or III colon cancer receive additional, or adjuvant, chemotherapy following surgery. However, clinical trials have shown that this treatment doesn’t improve the chances of survival for every patient. The findings indicated that a 10-gene biomarker that potentially predicts whether a stage II or III colon cancer patient will benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
The study, led by Steven Chen, Ph.D., a researcher at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, utilised application of machine learning and artificial intelligence to cancer research, primarily focusing on colorectal and breast cancer. Colon cancer patients’ tumours have many different genomic profiles, so the team aggregated gene expression profiles from six publicly available sources to create a 933-patient data set, making it one of the largest gene expression datasets for stage 2 and 3 colon cancer.
Advertisement
The team of data scientists carefully curated and rigorously tested their data to identify a precise gene signature for predicting chemotherapy responses. Their goal was to create a practical and concise signature, so they employed machine learning to analyse a vast network of potentially relevant genes. Through this process, they initially narrowed the list to 18 genes and then refined it further to just 10 key genes.
The researchers found that the gene signature could potentially predict whether immunotherapy would help some patients. It is important because there are not yet clear guidelines on which colon cancer patients might benefit from immunotherapy.
In conclusion, the findings suggested that the gene signature offers a promising tool for personalising treatment strategies, enabling more precise and effective use of chemotherapy. By distinguishing patients who are likely to benefit from adjuvant therapy from those who might not, the signature could help reduce overtreatment and improve overall outcomes. Future research should focus on integrating this signature into clinical practice and evaluating its impact on long-term survival and quality of life for colon cancer patients.
Reference: Chaohan Xu, Peng Xia, Jie Li, J. Joshua Smith, R. Daniel Beauchamp, X. Steven Chen; Discovery and validation of a 10-gene predictive signature for response to adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II and III colon cancer; cell report medicine; July 2024; DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101661
Full View
Tags:    
Article Source : Cell Reports Medicine

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

Yakshi Chugh

With a graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Yakshi Chugh embarked on a journey to explore the dynamic intersection of media and healthcare. In 2024, she joined Medical Dialogues, driven by a passion to enhance healthcare journalism and deliver insightful, impactful content to readers.

Comments Policy
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Similar News

Medical Bulletin 31/July/2025

Study Reveals Cannabis Use Disorder Linked to Three Times Higher Risk of Oral Cancer

3 Out of 5 Liver Cancer Cases Preventable, Says Lancet Commission; Calls for Urgent Focus on Hepatitis, Alcohol, and Obesity

This Sugar Substitute May Help Kill Cancer Cells: Study Suggests

Can a Simple Breath Test Detect Blood Cancer? Study Finds Out

Heart Healthy Habits May Shield You from Cancer, Dementia, Diabetes and More: Study

Obesity May Raise Breast Cancer Risk, More So in Women with Heart Disease: Meta Analysis

Decades After Diagnosis, Childhood Cancer Survivors Still Vulnerable to Severe COVID: Study Shows