Research Highlights

LDCRC and Research Week 

As part of Research Week 2026, the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre (LDCRC) hosted the event “Cancer Research: Genomics, Nutrition, and Risk Reduction” on Tuesday, 28 April 2026. The LDCRC was delighted to welcome Dr Paul Brennan, Head of the Genomic Epidemiology Branch at the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as the keynote speaker.

The event was opened by University of Limerick President Professor Shane Kilcommins and featured expert contributions from researchers across the University of Limerick (UL) and University Hospital Limerick (UHL). Presentations explored the rising incidence of colorectal cancer and examined the genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that influence cancer risk and progression.

Session 1 - chaired by Dr Kieran McGourty, focused on colorectal cancer research. Dr Paul Brennan delivered the keynote address, examining the factors driving the rise in early-onset colorectal cancer worldwide. This was followed by presentations from Professor Christina Fleming, who provided clinical insights from the Mid-West region, and Ciara Ryan (UHL), who outlined recent developments in hereditary colorectal cancer services and cancer genetics.

Session 2 -  chaired by Dr Amira Mahdi, explored broader cancer risk factors and health considerations. Presentations from Dr John Noone, Dr Clodagh Scannell, and PhD researcher Katelyn O'Grady highlighted the roles of metabolism, nutrition, and micronutrients in cancer development and patient care, reinforcing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship.

 A recording of the event is available here

During the event, the LDCRC announced that researchers from UL and UHL had been invited to lead Ireland's contribution to the Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Consortium (ECCE), a major international research initiative coordinated by the World Health Organization's IARC. The study will brings together researchers from approximately 16 countries to investigate the increasing incidence of bowel cancer among young adults worldwide.

Ireland's contribution to the study will be led by Professor Aedín Culhane, Professor of Cancer Genomics in UL's School of Medicine and Director of the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre, alongside Professor Christina Fleming, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at UL's School of Medicine and Consultant Colorectal Surgeon with the UL Hospitals Group.

The announcement was particularly timely, coinciding with Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in April. Speaking at the event, Professor Culhane highlighted the significance of the research:

“The sharp rise in bowel cancer in those under the age of 50 is one of the most urgent questions in cancer research.”

The event highlighted the importance of international collaboration in addressing emerging cancer trends and showcased the leading role being played by researchers at UL and UHL in advancing our understanding of early-onset colorectal cancer. It also demonstrated the breadth of expertise across cancer genomics, clinical research, nutrition, and risk reduction, underscoring the LDCRC's commitment to improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes through multidisciplinary and internationally connected research.

Recordings of previous LDCRC Research Week events are also available online. The Research Week 2025 event can be viewed  here, while the Research Week 2024 event can be viewed here

Publication Highlights 

The LDCRC is pleased to highlight the following recent publications involving our researchers and collaborators. Spanning health economics, precision oncology, lymphoma biology, viral oncology, and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia research, these publications showcase the depth, quality, and impact of research across the LDCRC, advancing knowledge in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.

The LDCRC congratulates all authors and collaborators on these important contributions to cancer research and their continued commitment to improving outcomes for people affected by cancer. To explore the full range of publications from LDCRC PIs and researchers, visit here.