NEWS Malaysia

The third edition of the virtual Colorectal Cancer Symposium was successfully held on 12 March 2025 following Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The symposium, with the theme of “Advancing Precision Nutrition for Cancer Prevention and Treatment”, was moderated by Prof. Ivy Chung (Universiti Malaya, NCKU Overseas Hub in Malaysia) and joined by six esteemed researchers from local and international institutions.  The 3-hour+ symposium was a great platform for knowledge exchange, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry stakeholders dedicated to advancing cancer research and treatment strategies.

Prof. Ng Siew Chien (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) shared her discovery of the keystone bacteria targeted to detect polyp and cancer, and how microbiome was utilized as a biomarker for cancer detection. The innovative, non-invasive approach of utilizing bacterial gene markers shows promise for detecting cancer and helping monitor polyp recurrence. This test addresses the limitations of traditional methods and can potentially detect cancer early, when it is most treatable.

Dr. Jonathan Lee Wei Jie's (National University of Singapore) presentation explored the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and colorectal cancer, focusing on how microbial composition varies by subtype of premalignant colon adenomas. These findings suggest that the microbiome plays a crucial role in the progression of adenomas, with significant bacterial species often correlating with diet and medication use. Dr. Lee emphasized the promising potential of microbiome research in early cancer detection and improving therapeutic outcomes.

Associate Professor Dr. Chong Chun Wie (Monash University Malaysia) shared his follow-up meta-analysis findings on the importance of diet and ancestry in shaping the gut microbial composition. Using a multiethnic dataset, his team compared the microbial taxa and urine metabolites associated with different diseases. His study contributed to the understanding of the Malaysian Microbiome. As Malaysia is a multiethnic society with different lifestyles and cultural practises, his research findings may facilitate the development of intervention strategies to improve gut health in Malaysia.

Prof. Lee Yeong Yeh (Universiti Sains Malaysia) shared the latest updates on the “Potential of Gut Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer,” highlighting the interplay between microbiome composition, obesity, and diet in colorectal cancer development. One of his ongoing projects focuses on utilizing miRNAs in fecal samples as non-invasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer detection, especially in obese patients. Early findings suggest distinct miRNA expression patterns corresponding to normal, polyp, and cancerous conditions, regardless of obesity status, offering promising potential for early diagnosis and screening.

Prof. Dr. Norfilza Mohd Mokhtar’s (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) talk emphasised the growing importance of gut microbiota modulation as a complementary strategy in colorectal cancer management. Her team found that Synbiotics - a combination of prebiotics and probiotics- have a favourable effect on the gut microenvironment. Several preclinical studies and clinical trials offer synergistic effects between gut microbiota and the host, however, large-scale studies are required to examine the potential roles of the biotics for colorectal cancer prevention.

Dr. Yi-Hsuan Huang (NCKU Hospital) presented her team’s research focus on tracking metabolite changes in colorectal cancer patients to refine precision nutrition strategies. By monitoring metabolic shifts throughout disease progression and treatment, they develop personalized dietary interventions that enhance therapeutic efficacy and improve cancer outcomes.

The brief event information is as follows:

• Organizers : Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Malaya Colorectal Cancer Awareness Week (CRC AW)
• Collaborators : Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya (UMMC), Malaysian Society of Colorectal Surgeons (MSCRS), National Cancer Society Malaysia, and NCKU Overseas Hub in Malaysia
• Sponsor : BCrobes
• Attendees : Academicians, researchers, medical officers, lab managers, students, medical affair executives, pharmacists, and colorectal cancer survivors.