All-Ireland Cancer Network (AllCaN) Programme - Oesophageal Cancer

The first Breakthrough Cancer Research All-Ireland Cancer Network (AllCaN) programme grant is focused on Oesophageal Cancer research

The AllCaN Grant Programme was created as part of Breakthrough Cancer Research’s new 5-year research strategy (Making More Survivors), to support and facilitate knowledge sharing between exemplary teams in institutions across the island of Ireland, who are taking on less survivable cancers.

Oesophageal Cancer is one of the biggest cancer challenges with a 5-year survival rate of just 24% in the Republic of Ireland (NCRI) – only 1 out of every 4 people diagnosed will survive 5 years.  In Northern Ireland, the survival rate is less at 19% (NICR). Northern Europe, and specifically the UK and Ireland, are where some of the highest incidence rates of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) are reported.

The AllCaN – Oesophageal Programme grant was awarded to an all-Ireland network led by Prof. Jacintha O’Sullivan (Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute, TSJCI), and co-led by Prof. Helen Coleman (Queen’s University Belfast) and Prof. Juliette Hussey (TSJCI).  The collaboration links six major academic institutions across the island of Ireland – Trinity College Dublin, Queen’s University Belfast, University College Cork, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University College Dublin, and University of Galway – along with their associated hospitals, the National Cancer Control Programme and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

John Clarke, Dr Frances Drummond, Prof Helen Coleman, Prof Jacintha O’Sullivan, Prof Juliette Hussey, Orla Dolan, Dr Richard Turkington

The first of these AllCaN Grants, AllCaN – oesophageal cancer, which is funding innovative research to understand cancer development, improve early detection and outcomes for patients with, or at risk of, developing the disease was launched on World Cancer Day, February 4th, 2023 in QUB, Breakthrough is investing €1 million into the AllCaN – Oesophageal Programme grant (2023-2027) with additional collaborative funding and support coming from CROSS and the Oesophageal Cancer Fund.

This unique cross-border collaboration will enable the sharing of data and learnings for the first time.  They share decades of collective experience in Oesophageal

Cancer and Barrett’s oesophagus (a significant risk factor for oesophageal cancer). People with Barrett’s oesophagus have biological changes in their food pipe (oesophagus) which puts them at a higher risk of developing Oesophageal Cancer.  For the first time this collaboration will enable sharing of data from the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland Barrett’s oesophagus registries (over 34,000 patients) to answer important epidemiological studies using one of the largest platforms available worldwide for studying this disease.

Identification of, and improved treatments for people with Oesophageal Cancer and Barrett’s oesophagus, could significantly control the progression of the disease.

With AllCaN, it will be possible to identify if potential inequalities exist across demographics, healthcare systems and patient outcomes and how lifestyle factors and medications influence reflux symptoms and progression. Lifestyle interventions will be tailored to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life (including mental health and wellbeing). The collaboration with industry will help ensure that discoveries that could help identify people at risk of progressing to Oesophageal Cancer or who will benefit from a particular treatment, progress quicker into the clinic.

John Clarke who was diagnosed with Barrett’s oesophagus at age 33 and is

a Public Patient Involvement (PPI) representative for AllCaN spoke about the possibilities of the all-Ireland Barrett’s oesophagus registry. ‘I am unlucky to have Barrett’s oesophagus, but I am lucky to know I have it.  Awareness is the key with any condition. The sooner found the better. To have an all-Ireland cancer register is unbelievable. The possibilities it opens are endless. Imagine the day we can tell everyone with oesophageal cancer that there’s a lifestyle plan or treatment that will contain and control the disease and enable them to live with it and improve their quality of life.’

For more information about All-Ireland Cancer Network (AllCaN) Programme – Oesophageal Cancer, please visit the official website here: https://allcan.ie/

COLLABORATORS:

Scientific Collaborators:  Prof. Stephen Pennington, Dr. John Mackrill, Dr. Sharon McKenna

Clinical Collaborators: Prof. John Reynolds, Prof. Dermot O’Toole, Dr. Narayanasamy Ravi, Prof. Carel le Roux, Dr.Helen Reid, Dr. Olinda Santin

Industry Partner: Dr. Declan Soden (Mirai Medical)

RESEARCHERS

PhD Students

Lorraine Smith

Project Title: “Investigating the effect of calcium electroporation on the inflammatory microenvironment and crosstalk to immune cell activation across the Barrett’s-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma disease sequence”

For more information about Lorraine’s research project, please click here: Lorraine Smith

Pousali Chatterjee 

Project Title: “The impact of cellular metabolic pathway manipulation on inflammatory-driven Barrett’s Oesophagus -to-Oesophageal cancer transitioning, and the potential role for the HDL proteome as a non-invasive immune-metabolic biomarker of disease progression”

For more information about Pousali’s research project, please click here: Pousali Chatterjee

Diana Cooke

Project Title: “Understanding the patterns and barriers of physical activity among people with Barret’s Oesophagus: designing, piloting and evaluating an exercise intervention programme”

For more information about Diana’s research project, please click here: Diana Cooke

Richard Murray

Project Title: “Malignant Potential of Barrett’s Oesophagus: Morphomolecular Pathology Insights Using Multiomic Approaches”

For more information about Richard’s research project, please click here: Richard Murray

Kelly Tang

Project Title: “Pharmacoepidemiology research to determine modifiable risk factors associated with Barrett’s Oesophagus and Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma Risk”

For more information about Kelly’s research project, please click here: Kelly Tang

Abigail Jeyaraj

Project Title: “Age inequalities in Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma risk, treatment and survival: a mixed-methods study”

For more information about Abigail’s research project, please click here: Abigail Jeyaraj

MPhil candidate

Órla Carney

Project Title: “Exploring Barriers and Enablers to the Implementation of Novel Capsule Sponge Technology in Primary Care”

For more information about Orla’s research project, please click here: Órla Carney

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Veronica Child

Project Title: “Evaluating Barrett’s and Dysplasia incidence and treatment trends across the island of Ireland”

For more information about Veronica’s research project, please click here: Veronica Child

MSc Students

Rachel McMenemy

Project Title: “Environmental exposures and oesophageal cancer incidence on the island of Ireland: Identifying novel prevention opportunities”

For more information about Rachel’s research project, please click here: Rachel McMenemy

Sam Cahill

Project Title: “Role of intrinsic immune checkpoint signalling pre-malignant Barret’s oesophagus to Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma Cancer”

For more information about Sam’s research project, please click here: Sam Cahill