Isabel Portillo
Screening Coordinator at Osakidetza -Basque Health Service, researcher in the Cancer Biomarkers group at the Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, and secretary of the Board of Directors of the Spanish Epidemiology Society
Does the press release accurately reflect the study?
“Yes, it reflects the issue and the possible association with a biomarker that was under study.”
Is the study of good quality?
“Yes, it presents a well-founded discussion and acknowledges the uncertainties and the need for further studies to confirm and demonstrate the role of the microbiome and its potential beneficial effect, although the association of colibactin with colorectal cancer in young people and in other age groups requires more retrospective and prospective research. It’s surprising that there is no mention of possible environmental and dietary risk factors or healthy habits, which are also related.”
How does this work fit in with the existing evidence?
“It is new evidence of a possible marker associated with colorectal cancer.”
Have the authors considered confounding factors?
“They have been considered; however, the focus is more on genetic analyses than on the interaction with other factors.”
What are the real-world implications?
“Basic research. It is still too early to say that there is only one biomarker, or whether it can be neutralized and how."
I believe this research is highly relevant for advancing our understanding of the origin and development of cancer (both colorectal cancer and others related to the same markers).