LIMR Translational Medicine: Understanding the mechanism(s) of resistance to EPA to personalise therapy and improve outcome

Summary

Advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is the UK’s second most lethal cancer, with limited treatment options for unresectable metastatic tumours. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are needed to improve patient outcomes.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, naturally found in cold water oily fish. EPA is licenced for prophylaxis of cardiovascular events in high-risk individuals and shows promise as an anti-cancer agent to prevent and treat CRC (1, 2, 3). The phase II EMT clinical trial (1), led by prof Hull, demonstrated its safety and potential as an anticancer agent against colorectal cancer liver metastasis. EPA’s mechanisms of action are multifaceted and the contribution of each pathway is most likely context dependent. As the larger phase III clinical trial EMT2 is underway, predictive biomarkers of response need to be identified in order to further translate the findings into oncology clinical practice.

Studies in our lab have demonstrated that human CRC cell lines display differential responses to EPA (3). We have applied a newly emerging molecular classification of CRC tumours to identify sub categories of tumours with increased sensitivity or resistance to EPA. We have observed that CRC cell line exhibiting genome hypermethylation (CIMP+) were more sensitive to EPA than those who were not hypermethylated (CIMP-). Exposure to decitabine, an epigenetic drug, led to an increase in EPA resistance in CIMP+ cell lines, but not in CIMP- cell lines.

The successful candidate will validate these findings further in a wider range of cell line models and epigenetic drugs. Using already obtained RNAseq data, the student will perform bioinformatic studies to identify candidate genes that could drive resistance to EPA and serve as predictive biomarkers of response. The students will then establish the signalling pathways or mechanisms involved in promoting resistance to EPA.

Techniques associated with this project:

This project will utilise a range of cell culture techniques to grow different established cell lines, as well MTT assay and growth curve assays. Bioinformatics studies will be performed using Cytoscape and Reactome alongside data mining publicly available database. Gene expression studies will be performed using real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence staining, using cell lines and clinical samples for validation studies.

This project is part of the International PhD Academy: Medical Research

In line with the bespoke nature of our International PhD Academy a modified PhD project can be proposed dependent on students interests and background.

References

1. Cockbain, A.J., M. Volpato, A.D. Race, A. Munarini, C. Fazio, A. Belluzzi, P.M. Loadman, G.J. Toogood, and M.A. Hull, Anticolorectal cancer activity of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid. Gut, 2014. 63(11): p. 1760-8.
2. Volpato, M., S.L. Perry, G. Marston, N. Ingram, A.J. Cockbain, H. Burghel, J. Mann, D. Lowes, E. Wilson, A. Droop, J. Randerson-Moor, P.L. Coletta, and M.A. Hull, Changes in plasma chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 levels during treatment with eicosapentaenoic acid predict outcome in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Oncotarget, 2016. 7(19): p. 28139-50.
3. Volpato, M., N. Ingram, S.L. Perry, J. Spencer, A.D. Race, C. Marshall, J.M. Hutchinson, A. Nicolaou, P.M. Loadman, P.L. Coletta, and M.A. Hull, Cyclooxygenase activity mediates colorectal cancer cell resistance to the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol, 2021. 87(2): p. 173-184

A degree in biological sciences, dentistry, medicine, midwifery, nursing, psychology or a good honours degree in a subject relevant to the research topic. For entry requirements for all other research degrees we offer, please contact us.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study. The minimum requirements for this programme in IELTS and TOEFL tests are: • British Council IELTS - score of 7.0 overall, with no element less than 6.5 • TOEFL iBT - overall score of 100 with the listening and reading element no less than 22, writing element no less than 23 and the speaking element no less than 24.