Dr. Maria Abreu Awarded Grant for Innovative Colorectal Cancer Research
Article Summary
- Dr. Maria Abreu received an $800,000 grant from the V Foundation to support her research on the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.
- Dr. Abreu’s work links diet and lifestyle changes to an abnormal microbiome that can increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
- Part of the grant will be used to study treatments that reduce DUOX2, an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide.
Maria Abreu, M.D., a renowned physician-scientist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and director of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, received a prestigious grant from the V Foundation to advance her innovative work on colorectal cancer (CRC).
The award accompanies climbing CRC rates. The disease is a leading cause of death among Americans younger than 50, with traditional screening guidelines failing to address younger patients who develop CRC without known risk factors.
“Progress in CRC prevention through colonoscopies has been eroded by the lack of biomarkers to identify individuals who would benefit from early screening and prevention,” said Dr. Abreu, a professor of medicine and microbiology and immunology at the Miller School with more than two decades of expertise in finding better treatments for debilitating gastrointestinal conditions. “There is an urgent need for early detection strategies.”
Preventing and Treating Colorectal Cancer
As Dr. Abreu investigated how gut bacteria triggers intestinal inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), she discovered a strong link to colon cancer. She began searching for ways to prevent colon cancer by controlling the response to the gut microbiome.
“Many of the things we learn in one disease may be applicable to another—in this case, colon cancer,” said Dr. Abreu. “We propose that certain bacteria in the gut triggers increases in DUOX2, an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide. There are different types of colon polyps and CRC, and these types of polyps have different characteristics.”
Her work links DUOX2 expression to inflammation and CRC. Using a three-pronged approach, her research aims to:
• Determine if DUOX2 levels are higher in specific types of polyps and CRC
• Discover bacteria that leads to increases in DUOX2
• Identify drugs and other bacterial compounds that can reduce levels of DUOX2
“We are linking diet and lifestyle changes that result in dysbiosis, or an abnormal microbiome, to an increased risk of CRC,” explained Dr. Abreu. “We are hoping to generate a variety of strategies to prevent and treat CRC.”
Empowering Women in Cancer Research
Dr. Abreu will complete her research with the help of the V Foundation’s A Grant of Her Own: The Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research. Established to address gender disparities and pandemic-related career setbacks female researchers face, the program provides crucial funding and support for innovative projects.
“This award not only supports my research but also helps to elevate female representation and leadership in cancer research,” says Dr. Abreu. “It’s a step towards a more equitable scientific community.”
The foundation will provide $800,000 in funding over four years.
“I am grateful to the V Foundation for giving me the opportunity to pursue the cutting-edge research proposal,” said Dr. Abreu. “It allows us to take risks that have a greater opportunity to make a difference.”
Leadership and Vision
Dr. Abreu is passionate about gastroenterology and continues to push the limits of her field. She has been working to identify novel therapeutic targets with the potential to treat patients with IBD, especially in the Hispanic community. She collaborates with other departments and is dedicated to training physician-scientists and scientists in gastroenterology and hepatology.
Her leadership also extends beyond her research and clinical responsibilities. As the president of the American Gastroenterological Association, Dr. Abreu advocates for greater gender equity in gastroenterology and is determined to create a brighter future for generations to come.
“The prospect of uncovering groundbreaking therapies that will transform the lives of countless patients is immensely rewarding,” she said. “It fuels my passion to make a profound impact on global health.”
Tags: 2024 V Foundation, colorectal cancer, Dr. Maria Abreu, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, V Foundation