As of: February 5, 2024, 2:21 p.m
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
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In principle, people of all ages can develop colon cancer.
Scientists are tirelessly researching ways to inhibit the growth of malignant tumors.
“In its activated state, the protein acts as a surveillance system that detects signs of damaged DNA in our cells,” explains Dr.
Abhimanu Pandey, who and his team at the
Australian National University (ANU)
are studying the peculiarities of the protein called “Ku70”.
In the current study, they can prove that the protein can be manipulated in the immune system to fight colon cancer.
New methods to prevent the formation and growth of cancer cells
Benign cell changes in the intestine can develop into a malignant tumor.
Scientists have discovered how a protein can remove damaged DNA so that the cell does not degenerate.
© Science Photo Library/Imago
“Our research shows that Ku70 can 'cool' cancer cells and remove damaged DNA.
The protein prevents the cancer cells from becoming more aggressive and spreading throughout the body by essentially deactivating them and keeping them in a dormant state. Ku70 can be activated or “turned on” like a light switch by a combination of new and existing drugs, thus reducing the risk of cancer cells Prevent the formation and growth of cancer cells.
The possibility of prevention would not only be desirable for older patients, but especially for the increasingly young people who are developing colorectal cancer.
Although the risk of developing colon cancer is higher in people over 50, the disease is also being diagnosed in more and more younger people.
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Australian National University (ANU)
Professor Si Ming Man
reiterates that checking Ku70 protein levels in abnormal tissue growths in the colon (precancerous polyps) could be useful as part of future colon cancer screening before healthy cells become cancerous.
“We know that early detection and treatment is crucial not only for the prevention of colorectal cancer, but potentially other types of cancer as well,” said Professor Man.
Colon cancer screening is important to detect benign precursors and prevent cancer
Both benign and malignant tumors can arise in the small intestine and large intestine.
According to the
German Cancer Society,
benign tumors such as fibromas and lipomas in the small intestine occur much more frequently than malignant tumors.
Benign tumors do not spread to neighboring tissue and do not form daughter tumors in other organs or lymph nodes.
Nevertheless, benign tumors in the small intestine can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea and can develop into malignant tumors, i.e. carcinomas.
Benign tumors in the colon are usually polyps or so-called adenomas, which arise from the glandular tissue in the intestinal mucosa and grow slowly.
These tumors form on the mucous membrane inside the large intestine and often go unnoticed for a long time.
The danger is that polyps in the intestine can develop into malignant intestinal carcinoma over the years.
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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.