In a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the understanding and treatment of bowel cancer, scientists have found that certain bowel cancer cells have the astonishing ability to “shapeshift.” This transformative ability allows them to resemble skin or muscle cells, a phenomenon that plays a crucial role in their aggressive spread throughout the body.
The study, jointly conducted by the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre and the University of Edinburgh, zeroed in on a key aspect of some highly aggressive forms of bowel cancer – cellular plasticity. This refers to cancer cells losing their original identity, which is a significant step in the disease’s progression. The researchers found that during the spread of bowel cancer, colonic cells shed their distinct characteristics and start to mimic squamous cells that form the skin or even muscle cells.
Bowel cancer is a major health concern globally, ranking as the second most common cause of cancer – related deaths in the UK. Each year, it claims the lives of 16,800 people in Britain, with 1,700 of those in Scotland. Alarmingly, there has been an upward trend in the diagnosis of bowel cancer in younger individuals both in the UK and around the world. A recent American Cancer Society study, published in The Lancet Oncology, revealed that early – onset bowel cancer rates are rising in 27 out of 50 countries studied, especially among young women in Scotland and England.
The ability of bowel cancer cells to transform into more “robust” cell types, such as skin or muscle cells, gives them a survival edge. Skin cells, for instance, are well – adapted to endure harsh daily conditions due to their role in protecting the body’s exterior. By mimicking these cells, bowel cancer cells can become more resilient, which aids in their spread. This cellular plasticity has been identified as a critical factor in bowel cancer metastasis, the stage at which the cancer spreads and becomes far more challenging to treat.
The research also delved into a specific gene called ATRX, already linked to aggressive bowel cancer. Using mouse models and human tissue samples, the team discovered that the loss of the ATRX gene led to an increase in metastatic tumors that spread from the bowel to other organs like the liver, lymph nodes, and diaphragm. The key to this aggressive spread was the cells’ shedding of their colonic cell identity and transformation into squamous – like or muscle – like cells.
Dr. Kevin Myant, from the University of Edinburgh’s Institute of Genetics and Cancer and the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, emphasized the significance of the findings. “With the increasing number of younger people being diagnosed with bowel cancer, understanding how the disease grows and spreads is more important than ever. Our discovery of this ‘shapeshifting’ mechanism offers new hope for developing targeted treatments,” he said.
Lead researcher Dr. Patrizia Cammareri added, “The ability of cancer cells to resemble skin cells, which can tolerate harsher conditions, might be a survival strategy. This could be the key to halting the progression of aggressive cancer and improving patient outcomes.”
Cancer Research UK’s Director of Research, Dr. Catherine Elliott, commented on the potential of the research, “Early diagnosis and preventing cancer spread are crucial. This study, which could lead to new ways to stop the spread of bowel cancer, offers great promise. We’re investing in initiatives to find kinder and more effective ways to tackle this disease.”
Published in the prestigious journal Nature, the research was funded by the Medical Research Council and the European Research Council. Moving forward, scientists hope that by targeting this cellular plasticity, they can enhance the effectiveness of current treatments and ultimately prevent the spread of bowel cancer, offering new hope to patients worldwide.
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