Major bacterial families in fluke-associated (Ova) versus non-associated (non-Ova) tumor (T) and normal (N) bile duct tissues.
SINGAPORE – An international research collaboration has identified bacteria in the bile duct as a potential risk factor in the development of bile duct cancer, or Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a rare but aggressive form of cancer with symptoms that do not present themselves at the early stages.
CCA is associated with multiple risk factors that are geographically distinct – choledocal cysts and primary sclerosing cholangitis have been implicated in the development of CCA in Western populations, while infections by the liver fluke parasite have resulted in higher incidence of CCA in Southeast Asia. However, the role of bacteria in CCA development has not been previously established, despite their relatively well-characterised involvement in colon and gastric (GI tract) cancers.
To address this gap, the team of researchers profiled the tissue microbial community of liver fluke-infected and non-infected CCA based on the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, a highly conserved marker gene for studying different bacterial lineages.
Led by first author Dr Chng Kern Rei, Senior Research Fellow of Computational & Systems Biology at Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Singapore, the team discovered that bile duct tissue harboured a community of diverse bacteria species. Stenotrophomonas species – previously implicated in bile duct infections – were found to be preferentially dwelling in tumour tissue (compared to normal tissue) of non-fluke-infected CCA patients, highlighting their potential role in development of CCA.
In comparison to non-fluke-infected CCA tissues, fluke-infected CCA tissues were found to contain enteric bacteria whose metabolic outputs (bile acids and ammonia) have been previously linked to carcinogenesis, or the formation of cancers. Taken together, the results suggest a role for bile duct tissue microbiome in development of CCA and which may accordingly be used as a target for therapy.
Besides main collaborator National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), this multi-national, multi-institutional project also involved National University of Singapore, Singapore General Hospital, and Duke-NUS Medical School from Singapore; Fundeni Clinical Institute from Romania; Khon Kaen University from Thailand; and Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School from the United States. Published in scientific journal EBioMedicine’s June 2016 issue, the study was also featured on the cover.
“Until recently, our understanding of bacterial communities resident in our body and their association with diseases has been limited. The associations detected in this study provide a smoking gun for the role of bacteria in bile duct cancer, and we hope that this discovery will accelerate our search for a cure for cholangiocarcinoma,” said Dr Nagarajan, the study’s joint corresponding author and Principal Investigator of Computational & Systems Biology at the GIS.
“Understanding how our cells interact with our environment and in this case our "microbial self" is increasingly recognized to be important for our understanding of health and disease. Such fundamental research while still in its early stages may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies in time as the microbiome is far more manipulable than our genome. We are grateful to NMRC for their support in this study,” said Dr Joanne Ngeow, Co-Principal Investigator of this study and Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist, National Cancer Centre Singapore.
GIS Executive Director Prof Ng Huck Hui said, “Microbiome studies are an increasingly important area of research, evident in the National Microbiome Initiative launched by the Obama administration recently[1]. Enabled by cutting-edge technologies at GIS, I look forward to more studies in this area with a view to understanding the role of microbial communities in diseases, and eventually leading to better health outcomes for patients.”
Notes to Editor:
The research findings described in this media release can be found in the scientific journal EBioMedicine, under the title, “Tissue Microbiome Profiling Identifies An Enrichment of Specific Enteric Bacteria In Opisthorchis Viverrini Associated Cholangiocarcinoma” by Kern Rei Chng1, Sock Hoai Chan2, Amanda Hui Qi Ng1, Chenhao Li1, Apinya Jusakul3, Denis Bertrand1, Andreas Wilm1, Su Pin Choo2, Damien Meng Yew Tan4, Kiat Hon Lim5, Roy Soetinko4, Choon Kiat Ong3, Dan G Duda7, Simona Dima8, Irinel Popescu8, Chaisiri Wongkham9, Zhu Feng10, Khay Guan Yeoh10,11, Bin Tean Teh3,6, Puangrat Yongvanit9, Sopit Wongkham9, Vajaraphongsa Bhudhisawasdi9, Narong Khuntikeo9, Patrick Tan1,6, Chawalit Pairojkul9#, Joanne Ngeow2,12#, Niranjan Nagarajan1#
1Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore 138672
2Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610
3Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610
4Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore 169608
5Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore 169608
6Cancer Science and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857
7Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
8Center of Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
9Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 40002
10Dept. of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
11Dept. of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore
12Oncology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857
#Joint Corresponding Authors
#Correspondence and reprint requests to:
Niranjan Nagarajan, PhD
Contact: Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, #02-01 Genome, Singapore 138672. Email: [email protected] Tel: +65 6808 8071
or
Joanne Ngeow, MBBS, MRCP, MPH
Contact: Cancer Genetics Service, Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610. Email: [email protected] Tel: +65 6436 8172
or
Chawalit Pairojkul
Contact: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Tel/Fax: +66 43 202 024; Email: [email protected]
Full text of the EBioMedicine paper can be accessed online from: http://www.ebiomedicine.com/article/S2352-3964(16)30177-3/fulltext
______________________________________________________________
For media queries and clarifications, please contact:
Joyce Ang
Senior Officer, Office of Corporate Communications
Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR
Tel: +65 6808 8101
Email: [email protected]
Rachel Tan
Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications
National Cancer Centre Singapore
Tel: +65 6236 9535
Email: [email protected]
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About A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS)
The Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) is an institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). It has a global vision that seeks to use genomic sciences to achieve extraordinary improvements in human health and public prosperity. Established in 2000 as a centre for genomic discovery, the GIS will pursue the integration of technology, genetics and biology towards academic, economic and societal impact.
The key research areas at the GIS include Human Genetics, Infectious Diseases, Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Cancer Stem Cell Biology, Computational and Systems Biology, and Translational Research.
The genomics infrastructure at the GIS is utilised to train new scientific talent, to function as a bridge for academic and industrial research, and to explore scientific questions of high impact.
For more information about GIS, please visit www.gis.a-star.edu.sg
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that spearheads economic oriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit society.
As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by contributing to societal benefits such as improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability.
We play a key role in nurturing and developing a diversity of talent and leaders in our Agency and Research Institutes, the wider research community and industry. A*STAR oversees 18 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis.
For more information on A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg
About National Cancer Centre Singapore
National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) provides a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to cancer treatment and patient care. We treat almost 70 per cent of the public sector oncology cases, and they are benefiting from the sub-specialisation of our clinical oncologists. NCCS is also accredited by the US-based Joint Commission International for its quality patient care and safety.
To deliver among the best in cancer treatment and care, our clinicians work closely with our scientists who conduct robust cutting-edge clinical and translational research programmes which are internationally recognised. NCCS strives to be a global leading cancer centre, and shares its expertise and knowledge by offering training to local and overseas medical professionals. www.nccs.com.sg
