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CRC viral co-infections

There is an increasing incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in younger Black South Africans, below the age of 50 years. While our data reflects genetic causes, some 24,5% of all cancers in Africa are associated with pathogens, like viruses. HIV infection (still prevalent in South Africa) raises the risk of developing a cancer by 2000-3000 times. New viruses linked to CRC (including EBV, JCV, CMV and HPV) and viral proteins reportedly interfere with the cell cycle and EMT signalling pathways. In South Africa, there is largely unrecorded molecular biological information on the cause of CRC, with the relationship of viral co-infections being unclear.

Aim:

We want to study this further to find answers as to why CRC incidence might be higher in certain populations, so that we can ultimately find better ways of treating colorectal cancer in these groups.

Objectives:

  • Provide a demographic and histopathologic profile of young Black South African patients, below the age of 50.
  • Evaluate polyoma virus co-infection in young Black patients using immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence.
  • Characterise the effects of viral co-infection on gene expression in young Black patients. This will be done using next generation gene sequencing, with a focussed polyoma viral gene panel and a CRC-focused gene panel.

Vision:

The role of viral co-infection in African patients with CRC will be studied to link disease research with what is happening at the molecular level, to try to find the causes of increasing African cancer burden. The gut microbiome also plays a role in CRC progression due to inflammation. Looking specifically at genetic status, oncogenically altered by viruses and bacteria, will assist in determining underlying causes and developing more personalised treatments to help with earlier detection and improved management of CRC.

Blausen Medical Communications, Inc., CC BY 3.0

 
 

 

Photo legend: Colorectal cancer.
Blausen Medical Communications, Inc., CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blausen_0246_ColorectalCancer.png

 

 

Project team:

  • Dr Clem Penny (Senior scientist, Department of Internal Medicine, Oncology Division (cancer cell and molecular biology, PI)
  • Dr Michele McCabe- Research scientist, Department of Anatomical Pathology (ECR, NGS, colorectal cancer panel)
  • Dr Musa Marimani- Research scientist, Department of Anatomical Pathology (ECR, Immunocytochemistry)
  • Dr Rebecca Van Dorsten (Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Molecular Medicine, virology, colorectal cancer (ECR, NGS virus panel)
  • Dr Sheefa Mirza- Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Oncology Division (ECR, cancer cell biology, NGS colorectal cancer)
  • Dr Yvonne Perner-HOD Department of Anatomical Pathology, (histopathology, collaborator)
  • Dr Natalie Irwin- Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, Oncology Division (oncologist)
  • Prof. Adele Murrell- HOD Life Sciences University of Bath, UK (Colorectal cancer, NGS, advisor)
  • Dr Pascale Willem- Wits DIH (Colorectal cancer and genomics, NGS, advisor)
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