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RCSI research focuses on need to personalise treatment for bowel
cancer patients
February 21, 2017
Drug development and the cost of treatments to health care funders also impacted by
findings
Researchers in RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) have conducted further in-depth
research to predict how patients with bowel (colorectal) cancer will respond effectively to
chemotherapy, to ensure that patients will get the most suitable type of treatment from the
outset. A large validation study was conducted to support initial findings with the latest
research published in the Clinical Cancer Research and Gut (International Journal of
Gastroenterology and Hepatology) journals.
Professor Jochen Prehn, Professor of Physiology & Director of the Centre for Systems
Medicine at RCSI
The research focuses on the need to personalise cancer treatment programmes in order to
kill cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue. This prediction tool, developed in RCSI, is a
computerised model using insights obtained from research in the field to provide a fast
method of determining the sensitivity of an individual patient’s cancer cells. It allows the
patient to be assessed to see if chemotherapy will be of benefit before treatment starts,
allowing for other treatment options to be utilised if the results show that no benefit will be
received from chemotherapy. This not only allows the patient to receive more appropriate
treatment at an earlier stage it also prevents any possible damage to healthy cells which
could be caused by the chemotherapy and reduces other side effects.
Professor Jochen Prehn, Professor of Physiology & Director of the Centre for Systems
Medicine at RCSI, said:
Tumours can become unresponsive to chemotherapy as they are made of different types of
cells and many develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs. In one particular type of
colorectal cancer up to 50-60 per cent of patients prove unresponsive to a commonly used
treatment regime.
The tools we have developed from this research will deliver the right chemotherapy or the
right treatment plan to the right patient at the right time, hence avoiding unnecessary sideeffects and accelerating access to better treatments.
This avoids a situation in which a patient who is not responsive to the drugs has to endure
harsh chemotherapy treatment needlessly. By analysing the chemical pathways in a tumour
prior to therapy and knowing that the tumour will be responsive also reduces uncertainty,
and means that scarce resources can be used to maximum benefit.
“The research has also shown that this type of testing may also work in other forms of
cancer which is another exciting development.” concluded Professor Prehn.
In addition to patient benefit, there is potentially a major cost saving associated with this
development for healthcare funders - patients who will not benefit from the chemotherapy, or
certain types of chemotherapy, will not receive it resulting in significant healthcare savings.
The Dose Response Medical Outcome Model Predictor System, a patent protected
technology developed in RCSI, can also be used by the pharmaceutical sector. Developing a
new treatment can be a lengthy process costing billions. This test can be utilised to reduce
the cost and time involved by allowing the drug makers to evaluate novel therapeutics at an
early stage. RCSI is actively exploring partnerships with drug companies.
Director of Research and Innovation at RCSI, Professor Ray Stallings said:
RCSI’s research strategy has a strong focus on excellence in translational research for the
benefit of patients and healthcare systems. Professor Prehn’s research exemplifies how
RCSI’s translational research programmes can improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare
costs and have industrial relevance.