Characterization of Multiple Omics Signatures in Relation to Dietary Pattern for in Silico Personalised Colon Cancer Risk Stratification: Study Protocol for a Case-control Study and the Challenges Faced During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nur Mahirah Amani Mohammad; Mohd Razif Shahril; Suzana Shahar; Nor Fadilah Rajab; Raja Affendi Raja Ali; Zairul Azwan Mohd Azman; Syarul Nataqain Baharum; Abrar Noor Akramin Kamarudin; Felicia Chung; Razinah Sharif

doi:10.31557/apjcb.2022.7.2.133-141

Authors

Nur Mahirah Amani Mohammad Centre of Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Mohd Razif Shahril Centre of Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia.
Suzana Shahar Centre of Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia.
Nor Fadilah Rajab Centre of Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia.
Raja Affendi Raja Ali Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia.
Zairul Azwan Mohd Azman Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia.
Syarul Nataqain Baharum Institute of System Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia.
Abrar Noor Akramin Kamarudin Department of Information Management, Ministry of Health Malaysia. School of Computer Science, Universiti Sains, Malaysia.
Felicia Chung Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Malaysia.
Razinah Sharif Centre of Healthy Ageing and Wellness, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcb.2022.7.2.133-141

Keywords:

colorectal cancer, dietary pattern, oncometabolites, personalised risk

Abstract

Background: Personalised nutrition and medicine are the future of healthcare. In relation to cancer, public and healthcare professionals often seek dietary recommendations for cancer prevention. Among the important cancers that can be prevented by diet and lifestyle is colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is one of the commonest cancers globally, and is a major health concern in Malaysia as it presents with high mortality and morbidity rates, causing a significant socioeconomic burden to the country. While extensive research has been conducted on the treatment and mechanisms of cancer, there have been no reports on the associations between metabolites, novel biomarkers of cancer, and dietary patterns in the context of cancer prevention in the Malaysian multiethnic population.
Methods: A case control study will be conducted in Malaysia, involving patients diagnosed with CRC, colorectal adenoma and a group of healthy participants. Multiple endpoints will be analyzed, namely metabolomic signatures, epigenetic marks, inflammatory markers and relationship with dietary patterns will be established. Multiple machine learning models will then be used to develop personalised risk stratification algorithms. Recruitment began in July 2019 and is ongoing due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Discussion: This study will be the first to identify alterations in metabolites, inflammatory markers and epigenetic marks associated with dietary patterns and CRC risk in Malaysia. Understanding on how dietary patterns influence CRC risk in the multi-ethnic Malaysian population and identification of novel oncometabolites for CRC risk, will allow for development of personalised evidence-based recommendations in reducing individual risks of CRC.