How You Can Participate in Colorectal Cancer Research
Anyone treated at Dana-Farber may be considered for participation in a clinical trial or research study. There are many ways for patients under 50 with colon or rectal cancer to get involved.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that help answer specific health questions about treatments. Younger patients with colorectal cancer may benefit from participating in a clinical trial geared to colon or rectal cancer patients of any age. Our physicians can work with you to determine if there is a clinical trial that is right for you.
We are testing many types of drugs and therapies through clinical trials at Dana-Farber, including targeted therapies – such as KRAS inhibitors, and novel chemotherapy – such as antibody drug conjugates. Through Dana-Farber’s Cell Therapies Program we’re also exploring immunotherapy options including CAR T-cell therapy for treating patients with colorectal cancer. Some of our other researchers are running trials that study lifestyle habits, such as the impact of diet and exercise.
Beyond CRC: A Study Focused on a Better Understanding of Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer
Our Center has created one of the first colorectal cancer research studies with young adults who have been treated at Dana-Farber and other national and international institutions. Study participants are asked to provide clinical and treatment data about their case as well as tumor, blood, and stool samples. We use these samples to identify differences in patients’ microbiomes – the tiny organisms that live in our gut and help our bodies to function. Participants in this multi-center study also complete baseline and follow-up questionnaires about their diet and lifestyle that help us learn more about the disease.
If you are not a patient of Dana-Farber or a Beyond CRC location, another option is the Count Me In research project. This study collects samples and health data from patients in the United States and Canada, which helps accelerate research.
If you are interested in donating samples to either study, please email us or speak with our Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center care team.
What role does the microbiome play in colorectal cancer?
The microbiome is a collection of tiny organisms found throughout the human body. These include bacteria that protect your body from disease, with the largest number living in the gut. Recent studies have revealed that if they are out of balance, these bacteria may play a role in how colorectal cancers develop. They also affect how treatments like immunotherapy work and can contribute to treatment-related side effects.
As part of an international team, researchers from the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center are studying the differences between a healthy microbiome and one that is associated with colorectal cancer. We’re also investigating the influence of diet and lifestyle factors on the microbiome. Our goal is to find ways to manipulate this collection of bacteria to better prevent and treat colorectal cancer.
We also compare differences in the microbiome of patients with early-onset colorectal cancer as compared to older patients with colorectal cancer. By doing so, we hope to uncover clues that help develop innovative treatments for young adults, including antibiotics, vaccines, and the transfer of healthy microbes.
What is the living biobank and why do patients participate?
During surgery or a biopsy, a patient may agree to have samples of their tumor tissue saved for research. These samples – known as biospecimens – are used anonymously to protect a patient’s privacy and are stored in a repository called a "living biobank." Researchers can then use these samples to understand the biological characteristics of each patient’s cancer and create personalized treatment recommendations for them.
Our biobank also helps us choose the most promising new treatments to test in clinical trials. With help from this important research tool, we hope to accelerate the timeline for making effective treatments available to all patients.
How can we use an individual's unique genetic profile to treat their cancer?
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute manages one of the nation's most comprehensive precision cancer medicine initiatives. Using cutting-edge, in-house sequencing technologies, we map out mutations (changes in the DNA that may contribute to cancer) in young-onset colon and rectal tumors and use our findings to diagnose a patient's cancer type, predict its behavior, and select targeted treatments. Since our large database of tumors and genomic profiling is linked to clinical information, these findings help us discover new drugs and deliver personalized treatment to each of our patients.
Better Methods to Screen for and Detect Colorectal Cancer
A colonoscopy is currently the most reliable test for finding precancerous polyps and cancers. This test allows doctors to diagnose, take a biopsy, and/or remove lesions all at once. However, we need new non-invasive tests that make it easier for patients to be screened for CRC.
We're working with gastroenterologists and lab scientists to develop new screening tools. We hope to identify at-risk individuals earlier – before cancer can grow. To help individuals who have an increased risk of developing cancer, our Centers for Early Detection and Interception aim to detect cancer sooner and stop pre-cancerous conditions from progressing.
Our experts at the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center are dedicated to improving outcomes for patients under 50 with colon and rectal cancer. Through research, we aim to better understand the disease and its growing incidence in younger people while also focusing on improving screening methods and treatment.
