Below the Belt Award
Carole Harris — 2025
GUT biome and bladder cancer: a pilot study
The aim of this research is to integrate microbiome sampling (testing of stool samples) into routine care for patients undergoing treatment for bladder cancer. We want to determine how the gut microbiota (the community of microorganisms in our digestive system) changes during cancer treatment and how these changes might affect patient outcomes.
We need to answer this because the gut microbiota plays a significant role in the development and progression of various cancers, including bladder cancer. However, the impact of cancer treatments on the gut microbiota and how these changes influence treatment outcomes are not well understood. This lack of knowledge limits our ability to personalise cancer care and improve patient outcomes.
Patients undergoing treatment for bladder cancer will benefit directly from this research. By understanding the changes in the gut microbiota during treatment, we can develop strategies to improve treatment effectiveness and patient health. Indirectly, this research could benefit the broader cancer patient community by providing insights that could be applied to other types of cancer.
This study could have several significant impacts:
• Feasibility: Demonstrate that collecting stool samples and analysing gut microbiota is easy to incorporate into clinical practice, making it feasible for future ANZUP research and routine care.
• Knowledge: Understand changes in gut microorganisms due to cancer treatment which is essential before targeting these changes in future research.
• Future Directions: Future research will aim to restore the gut microbiota through exercise, diet, and other survivorship modifications, providing personalised care to improve clinical outcomes.
By understanding and improving the gut microbiota, we hope to provide better, personalised care for cancer patients, ultimately enhancing their treatment outcomes and quality of life.
We need to answer this because the gut microbiota plays a significant role in the development and progression of various cancers, including bladder cancer. However, the impact of cancer treatments on the gut microbiota and how these changes influence treatment outcomes are not well understood. This lack of knowledge limits our ability to personalise cancer care and improve patient outcomes.
Patients undergoing treatment for bladder cancer will benefit directly from this research. By understanding the changes in the gut microbiota during treatment, we can develop strategies to improve treatment effectiveness and patient health. Indirectly, this research could benefit the broader cancer patient community by providing insights that could be applied to other types of cancer.
This study could have several significant impacts:
• Feasibility: Demonstrate that collecting stool samples and analysing gut microbiota is easy to incorporate into clinical practice, making it feasible for future ANZUP research and routine care.
• Knowledge: Understand changes in gut microorganisms due to cancer treatment which is essential before targeting these changes in future research.
• Future Directions: Future research will aim to restore the gut microbiota through exercise, diet, and other survivorship modifications, providing personalised care to improve clinical outcomes.
By understanding and improving the gut microbiota, we hope to provide better, personalised care for cancer patients, ultimately enhancing their treatment outcomes and quality of life.
