Elina Vinberg

• Bucher-Johannessen, Cecilie; Birkeland, Einar Elvbakken; Vinberg, Elina; Bemanian, Vahid; Hoff, Geir Svein & Berstad, Paula [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Long-term follow-up of colorectal cancer screening attendees identifies differences in Phascolarctobacterium spp. using 16S rRNA and metagenome sequencing. Frontiers in Oncology. 13. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1183039. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: The microbiome has been implicated in the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) in cross-sectional studies. However, there is a lack of studies using prospectively collected samples. Methods: From the Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Prevention (NORCCAP) trial, we analyzed 144 archived fecal samples from participants who were diagnosed with CRC or high-risk adenoma (HRA) at screening and from participants who remained cancer-free during 17 years of follow-up. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing of all the samples and metagenome sequencing on a subset of 47 samples. Differences in taxonomy and gene content between outcome groups were assessed for alpha and beta diversity and differential abundance. Results: Diversity and composition analyses showed no significant differences between CRC, HRA, and healthy controls. Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens was more abundant in CRC compared with healthy controls in both the 16S and metagenome data. The abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lachnospiraceae spp. was associated with time to CRC diagnosis. Conclusion: Using a longitudinal study design, we identified three taxa as being potentially associated with CRC. These should be the focus of further studies of microbial changes occurring prior to CRC diagnosis.

• Kværner, Ane Sørlie; Birkeland, Einar Elvbakken; Vinberg, Elina; Hoff, Geir; Hjartåker, Anette & Rounge, Trine Ballestad [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Associations of red and processed meat intake with screen-detected colorectal lesions. British Journal of Nutrition. ISSN 0007-1145. p. 1–36. doi: 10.1017/S0007114522002860. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Limited data exist regarding the role of meat consumption in early-stage colorectal carcinogenesis. We examined associations of red and processed meat intake with screen-detected colorectal lesions in immunochemical fecal occult blood test (FIT)-positive participants, enrolled in the Norwegian CRCbiome study during 2017-2021, aged 55-77 years. Absolute and energy-adjusted intakes of red and processed meat (combined and individually) were assessed using a validated, semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Associations between meat intake and screen-detected colorectal lesions were examined using multinomial logistic regression analyses with adjustment for key covariates. Of 1,162 participants with available dietary data, 319 (27%) presented with advanced colorectal lesions at colonoscopy. High vs low energy-adjusted intakes of red and processed meat combined, as well as red meat alone, were borderline to significantly positively associated with advanced colorectal lesions (ORs (95% CIs) of 1.24 (0.98, 1.57) and 1.34 (1.07, 1.69), respectively). A significant dose-response-relationship was also observed for absolute intake levels (OR (95% CI) of 1.32 (1.09, 1.60) per 100 g/day increase in red and processed meat). For processed meat, no association was observed between energy-adjusted intakes and advanced colorectal lesions. A significant positive association was, however, observed for the small proportion of participants (10%) with absolute intake levels ≥100 vs <50 g/day (OR (95% CI) of 1.19 (1.09, 1.31)). In summary, high intakes of red and processed meat were associated with presence of advanced colorectal lesions at colonoscopy in FIT-positive participants. The study demonstrates a potential role of using dietary data to improve the performance of FIT-based screening.

• Kværner, Ane Sørlie; Birkeland, Einar Elvbakken; Bucher-Johannessen, Cecilie; Vinberg, Elina; Nordby, Jan Inge & Kangas, Harri [Show all 27 contributors for this article] (2021). The CRCbiome study: a large prospective cohort study examining the role of lifestyle and the gut microbiome in colorectal cancer screening participants. BMC Cancer. 21. doi: 10.1186/s12885-021-08640-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening reduces CRC incidence and mortality. However, current screening methods are either hampered by invasiveness or suboptimal performance, limiting their effectiveness as primary screening methods. To aid in the development of a non-invasive screening test with improved sensitivity and specificity, we have initiated a prospective biomarker study (CRCbiome), nested within a large randomized CRC screening trial in Norway. We aim to develop a microbiome-based classification algorithm to identify advanced colorectal lesions in screening participants testing positive for an immunochemical fecal occult blood test (FIT). We will also examine interactions with host factors, diet, lifestyle and prescription drugs. The prospective nature of the study also enables the analysis of changes in the gut microbiome following the removal of precancerous lesions. Methods: The CRCbiome study recruits participants enrolled in the Bowel Cancer Screening in Norway (BCSN) study, a randomized trial initiated in 2012 comparing once-only sigmoidoscopy to repeated biennial FIT, where women and men aged 50–74 years at study entry are invited to participate. Since 2017, participants randomized to FIT screening with a positive test result have been invited to join the CRCbiome study. Self-reported diet, lifestyle and demographic data are collected prior to colonoscopy after the positive FIT-test (baseline). Screening data, including colonoscopy findings are obtained from the BCSN database. Fecal samples for gut microbiome analyses are collected both before and 2 and 12 months after colonoscopy. Samples are analyzed using metagenome sequencing, with taxonomy profiles, and gene and pathway content as primary measures. CRCbiome data will also be linked to national registries to obtain information on prescription histories and cancer relevant outcomes occurring during the 10 year follow-up period. Discussion: The CRCbiome study will increase our understanding of how the gut microbiome, in combination with lifestyle and environmental factors, influences the early stages of colorectal carcinogenesis. This knowledge will be crucial to develop microbiome-based screening tools for CRC. By evaluating biomarker performance in a screening setting, using samples from the target population, the generalizability of the findings to future screening cohorts is likely to be high.

• Larsen, Inger Kristin; Myklebust, Tor Åge; Babigumira, Ronnie; Vinberg, Elina; Møller, Bjørn & Ursin, Giske (2020). Education, income and risk of cancer: results from a Norwegian registry-based study. Acta Oncologica. ISSN 0284-186X. 59(11), p. 1300–1307. doi: 10.1080/0284186X.2020.1817548. Full text in Research Archive
• Hart, Rannveig Kaldager; Lyngstad, Torkild Hovde & Vinberg, Elina (2017). Children and Union Dissolution across Four Decades: Evidence from Norway. European Sociological Review. ISSN 0266-7215. 33(2), p. 317–331. doi: 10.1093/esr/jcx039. Full text in Research Archive

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