Starting Year: 2022
Title: VOOmics: OMICs approaches to reveal the anticancer properties of Virgin Olive Oil
Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity throughout the world, thus representing a major public health problem. It is the third most common cancer worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Although death rates for CRC have slightly declined in the last years and despite advances in screening and surgical treatment, metastatic cancer has no known cure, and the 5-year survival rate is only 8%. Following a healthy diet could be a measure of primary prevention for CRC as dietary habits are estimated to contribute to about 50% of CRC cases. Higher consumption of olive oil is considered the hallmark of the traditional Mediterranean diet and has been associated with low incidence and prevalence of CRC. The anticancer activity of olive oil, and in particular virgin olive oil (VOO), has been attributed to the presence of some bioactive compounds including phenolics. However, this effect is mainly supported by epidemiologic data, cell-based and animal studies where the mechanisms of action of the main VOO compounds are poorly understood. Up to date there is no human intervention study carried out with VOO to support its protective effect against CRC. Recent findings from our group make clear that hydroxytyrosol, the most important phenolic and antioxidant compound of VOO, inhibits cell proliferation and may target cancer invasion and metastasis in an advanced human 3D CRC cell model. In this project we will investigate further its effect in modulating the expression of key biomarkers of high metastatic CRC. We will carry out RNA sequencing of human samples derived from distinct groups of CRC patients (with and without cancer metastasis) to identify relevant biomarkers of highly metastatic CRC and then evaluate the impact of HT on modulating their expression in vitro. Other compounds that are expected to reach the colon after VOO intake (standard compounds and VOO- digested fractions) will be also tested, alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs (e.g 5-Fluorouracil) to evaluate potential synergistic effects. We will unveil the molecular mechanisms of action of VOO compounds using a foodomic strategy (both metabolomic and transcriptomics will be considered). The generated knowledge will contribute to understand the protective role of VOO compounds on CRC and will support the design of a future human intervention study to evaluate the effect of VOO diet supplementation on the prevention and treatment of metastatic CRC. This proposal will also result in environmental and economic benefits for the food industry and farming sector by i)promoting the increase of the production of VOO, and ii) creating opportunities for valorization of olive oil by-products that can be used as sources of bioactive compounds with application in pharma industry.
The project team has shown strong expertise in Food Science applied to study the health benefits of VOO, in Cancer Biology and Bioinformatics. All collaborations proposed are already in place at the research unit iNova4Health and under eCost action CA17118- “Identifying biomarkers through translational research for prevention and stratification of colorectal cancer”. The background and experience of the IR in many of the issues addressed in this project together with her ability to design, manage and run multi-disciplinary research projects guarantee the achievement of project ́s aim. This proposal is directly related with the workplan of the Stimulus of Scientific Employment project of the IR (CEECIND/04801/2017- VOOmics) and its funding will empower the execution of the tasks. The research unit is extremely well equipped, thus assuring the execution and completion of the project in due time.
Funding Source: FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.
Typology: R&D Unit Pluriannual funding
Reference: PTDC/BAA-AGR/4732/2021
Principal Investigator (PI): Teresa Serra
PI’s institution: IBET
NOVA Math members involved: Marta Belchior Lopes