University of Galway PhD Researcher Targets Bowel Cancer Invisibility Cloak to Improve Immunotherapy

University of Galway doctoral student investigates bowel cancer immunotherapy resistance

Key Clinical Takeaways:

Nial O’Reilly, a PhD researcher at the University of Galway, is studying how colorectal cancer cells evade the immune system using sugar molecules called sialic acids.
Bowel cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with around 2,562 people diagnosed annually in Ireland and rates among under-50s nearly doubling in the 25 years to 2019.
The four-year doctorate project is funded by a €140,000 grant from Breakthrough Cancer Research and supervised by Professor Aideen Ryan at the Lambe Institute for Translational Research.

Colorectal cancer cells use sugar molecules to evade immune system

Immunotherapy uses the host immune system to better target cancerous tumours.

They do this by connecting with the immune cells and essentially turning them off.

The project is about finding the genes that suppress the immune system.

Nial explained from his lab at the Lambe Institute for Translational Research.

Rising diagnosis rates among younger populations

Bowel cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide.

Genetics is the study of DNA while genome is the full DNA code of any organism.

Nial O’Reilly works alongside other PhD students who have overlapping research areas in colorectal cancers. Collaborative lab practices involve weekly meetings about ongoing work, troubleshooting struggles, and brainstorming to overcome stumbling blocks alongside senior lab members who hold PhDs.

Tumour microenvironment discoveries at the Lambe Institute

Scientific progress takes time, but every new insight brings closer treatment options and a future where more people in communities survive cancer.

Irish Cancer Society outlines primary warning signs for bowel cancer

Recognising symptoms early remains critical for survival rates. The Irish Cancer Society outlines primary warning signs that require a GP visit:

Changes in stool for no reason that last longer than three weeks, such as constipation, diarrhoea, or both.
The feeling of not emptying the bowel completely after a bowel movement.
Needing to go to the toilet more or less often than usual.
Blood in stool, which may look red or black, or bleeding from the bottom.
Tummy pain, feeling a lump anywhere in the tummy, bloating, losing weight for no reason, feeling very tired for no reason, and experiencing breathlessness.

Participants send back a very small sample of stool which is tested for traces of blood. While blood in the sample does not automatically confirm cancer, individuals may be advised to undergo further diagnostic investigations. Finding cancer early allows for successful treatment and significantly improves survival probabilities.

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