Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and is responsible for 1000 deaths annually in Ireland, according to the National Cancer Registry. Great uncertainty remains on how this complex disease develops and progresses. Normally, the human immune system kills cancerous cells allowing an individual to stay healthy. In colorectal cancer, cells known as stromal cells are found close to the tumour and appear, from mouse and lab models, to have the ability to influence the immune system. They decrease killing of cancer cells, allowing tumours to grow and move to other parts of the body. However, it is not known exactly by what mechanisms these stromal cells act on the immune system and the tumour surroundings. This project will examine if stromal cells from patients with colorectal cancer show any difference in certain known or suspected immune system controlling factors, called genes, compared to non-colorectal cancer stromal cells. By studying these and determining if any different gene or cell-surface protein expression is present, it may allow us to establish new ways to help the immune system to kill colorectal cancer cells which could translate into improved treatments for patients with colorectal cancer.
