Cancer Core Europe Lecture
hosted by Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)
Exposomic epigenetic fingerprints of early-onset colorectal cancer
Jose A. Seoane
Group Leader, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)
February 26, 2026 | 11:30 -12:30 CET
Link to Meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/33405625778105?p=KvDXKn8LrZJ1kpFhsD
Abstract
Colorectal cancer incidence is rising dramatically among individuals under 50 years of age. Epidemiological studies have identified exposome-related risk factors, including dietary patterns, smoking or alcohol consumption, as contributors to this trend. However, many environmental exposures remain unknow, largely due to the challenge of obtaining reliable historical exposure data. Recently, colibactin, a genotoxin produced by specific pks+ E. coli strains, has been implicated in early-onset colorectal cancer through its distinctive mutational signature in tumor DNA. Yet, mutational signatures can only detect mutagenic exposures, limiting their utility for investigating the full spectrum of carcinogens.
Here, we present a novel methodology that leverages tumor DNA methylation patterns to reconstruct patients’ historical exposome, enabling identification of non-mutagenic environmental exposures. Applied to early-onset colorectal cancer cohorts, this approach uncovers both known and novel exposure signatures associated with early-onset colorectal cancer and identifies a specific pesticide as a potential risk factor for colorectal cancer development.
What is Cancer Core Europe (CCE)?
Cancer Core Europe is a consortium of seven leading cancer centres (www.cancercoreeurope.eu). CCEs members are driven by a strong will to reshape the cancer research model to ultimately increase the European Union’s competitiveness as a place to conduct cutting-edge research that’s translated to the clinic to deliver more personalized medicine.
What is the content and aim of the CCE Lecture?
The CCE Lecture series is a CCE-internal event, which educates and informs about state-of-the-art research within the seven centers and is aimed to increase awareness among partners about each other’s activities and potential for collaboration.
