PerMICCion: A Study on Transforming Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Treatment through Gut Microbiome Research
More than 5 million people worldwide are living with colorectal cancer (CRC), making it the third most common cancer globally. Alarmingly, this disease is increasingly affecting young adults. A groundbreaking study in Germany, known as PerMICCion, is investigating how understanding the microorganisms in our gut, known as the gut microbiome, can help prevent, diagnose, and treat CRC more effectively. The goal is to improve the quality of life for young CRC patients by developing targeted strategies based on this knowledge.
Our gut microbiome, composed of various bacteria and fungi, is crucial to our overall health. It is influenced by our diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle habits, which can also impact our risk of developing CRC. PerMICCion’s research involves a multidisciplinary team, including epidemiologists, nutritional experts, and molecular oncologists, who collect and analyse patient data. Scientists aim to identify specific microorganisms that might promote or protect against cancer by studying the gut microbiome and its interaction with the human body. This research uses advanced bioinformatics and machine-learning tools to analyse large amounts of genetic data (the genes).
Your participation is crucial in advancing this research. Through initiatives like the German National Cohort and Colocare, PerMICCion gathers anonymised clinical and lifestyle data and biological samples such as blood, stool, and tissue. These contributions play a significant role in helping scientists understand how the gut microbiome influences cancer development and responds to treatment. By comparing the microbiomes of healthy individuals and CRC patients, researchers hope to identify lifestyle patterns that could prevent cancer. PerMICCion is actively seeking young patients to join these studies, intending to develop personalised nutritional and lifestyle recommendations to reduce cancer risk and improve patient outcomes.
If you would like to know more about PerMiCCion, please follow the link HERE or HERE.
Laura Urena
