A Cleveland Clinic study has identified diet-derived molecules called metabolites as significant contributors to young-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, particularly those linked to red and processed meat consumption. The research, published in npj Precision Oncology, focused on analyzing metabolite and microbiome datasets.
It suggests that younger adults (under 60) could reduce their risk of CRC by discussing dietary habits with their healthcare providers. Monitoring and screening for CRC remain essential, but researchers emphasize that diet-based preventive measures could offer a practical alternative for younger populations, especially since yearly colonoscopies are impractical for everyone.
The study’s senior author, Dr. Suneel Kamath, highlights the importance of identifying biomarkers that indicate colorectal cancer risk, which could help direct screening efforts towards those most at risk.
The research was co-led by Dr. Thejus Jayakrishnan and Dr. Naseer Sangwan, who worked with the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer to analyze large-scale patient data from individuals with both young- and average-onset CRC. Previous studies from the team had already revealed differences in metabolites and the gut microbiome between younger and older CRC patients.
However, the complexity of multiple factors involved in cancer risk, including the interaction between diet-derived metabolites and the gut microbiome, made understanding the mechanisms challenging.
To address this, Dr. Sangwan’s team developed an AI algorithm to combine and analyze datasets from previous studies, helping to clarify which factors were most relevant. Their findings revealed that diet was a more significant driver of CRC risk in younger adults than the gut microbiome, underscoring the importance of dietary factors.
The discovery that diet plays a crucial role in young-onset CRC risk is promising because it offers a simpler approach for identifying at-risk individuals by measuring metabolites in the blood.
This is easier than analyzing the gut microbiome through stool samples. Dr. Kamath noted that while changing the gut microbiome can be difficult, modifying one’s diet to reduce cancer risk is more feasible, providing a clearer path to prevention.
The study also found that younger CRC patients had higher levels of metabolites associated with arginine production and the urea cycle, potentially linked to long-term red and processed meat consumption.
The team is now analyzing national datasets to validate these findings and plans to test whether certain diets or drugs that regulate these metabolites can prevent or treat young-onset CRC. Dr. Kamath’s findings have already changed how he approaches patient care, emphasizing the importance of discussing diet during initial consultations to equip patients with the knowledge to make healthier lifestyle choices.
