Using genomics to prevent colorectal cancer

Dr Peter Georgeson from the Colorectal Oncogenomics group has received a 2024 Cure Cancer research grant, to support his work to develop a personalised genomics-based risk predictor for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer can be prevented by removing pre-cancerous polyps via colonoscopy. People who have had an adenoma (a non-cancerous, benign tumour) are at increased risk of developing subsequent adenomas and/or colorectal cancer, but this risk is not well understood, complicating screening guidelines.

Using advanced statistical techniques, Peter will oversee sequencing of these adenomas, developing genomic profiles that can help reveal features associated with colorectal cancer development.

“My research will integrate genomic features into a machine learning predictor to assess the clinical effectiveness of adenoma-based genomic profiling,” explains Peter.

“This will enable the development of personalised screening protocols that utilise all available relevant evidence. I am excited and passionate about the potential of this project to positively impact people’s lives.”

​One in two Australians develop at least one colorectal adenoma by age 60, so understanding the contributing factors of colorectal cancer has substantial implications for a large proportion of the population.

Peter is grateful for the opportunity to develop better clinical guidelines to improve colorectal cancer screening, and thanks Cure Cancer for their support.

“This project would not be possible without this funding,” he says.