DR-309 Unraveling the mystery of early-onset colorectal cancer

The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (eoCRC) in patients < 50 years of age is rapidly increasing. Despite indications that the tumor biology is different and more aggressive than older-onset (oo) CRC, age-specific treatments are lacking. To optimally treat these patients, eoCRC specific tumor biology needs to be better understood. We aim to explore biological differences, differences in treatment response between eoCRC and propensity score matched ooCRC and generate novel co-culture laboratory models of organoids AND CAFs to study eoCRC biology.

Tineke Buffart, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands