The origin of colon cancer in the context of Western-style diet. Where does cancer come from and is this of relevance for its prognosis? According to current beliefs, colon cancer originates in stem cells. However, upon inflammation, specialized intestinal cells can acquire stem cell features and initiate tumorigenesis. Here, we hypothesize that colon cancers arising in the context of inflammatory Western-style dietary habits, have a distinct cell of origin which has a negative impact on the clinical outcome. We aim to identify the cellular origin of colon cancer as a function of dietary habits to improve treatment and prognosis.

In the Baby’s First Bites study, we investigated whether it is possible to increase the amount of vegetables young children eat by giving their parents advice concerning the what (repeatedly exposing your child to the taste of vegetables) and how (listening to your child’s signals) of complementary feeding from the very first bites. We found no effects on the child’s vegetable intake or eating behavior; the advice on the how positively influenced the way mothers responded to their child during meals. Future research should focus on whether providing advice to specific subgroups like parents of “picky eaters” is more effective.

Drugs based on the intestinal hormone glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) are used to treat Type 2 Diabetes. GLP-1 is released by enteroendocrine cells in response to nutrition to regulate energy metabolism. It is not understood why some odorants, which characterise the smell of certain foods, can activate enteroendocrine cells and trigger the secretion of regulatory hormones. We hypothesise that the intestinal olfactory system mediates enteroendocrine signalling by sensing key food odorants, in preparation for efficient nutrient uptake. Using an innovative human apical-out mini-gut model we aim to gain evidence that the gut can ‘smell’, and thus recognise food present in the lumen

Patients with metastatic colon cancer are often treated with the chemotherapeutic irinotecan. However, not everyone responds to this therapy, and in 40% of cases, it causes side effects, such as severe diarrhea (7 to 14 times a day). As a result, the quality of life, as well as survival, deteriorates, placing a heavy burden on both family members and hospital staff. Currently, there are no available tests to predict the response or side effects. Within OPTIMA, three screening tests are being validated clinically to provide physicians with a toolbox for predicting the response to irinotecan and preventing side effects.