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A protein in the immune system has been found to be useful in fighting against bowel cancer, as per recent research from The Australian National University (ANU), published in Science Advances. Bowel cancer claims the lives of over 100 people in Australia every week, but around 90% of cases can be effectively treated if detected early.
Lead author Dr. Abhimanu Pandey, from ANU, explained that a protein called Ku70 can be activated using a combination of new and existing drugs. In its activated state, Ku70 functions as a surveillance system, identifying signs of damaged DNA in our cells. Damaged DNA is a red flag that can transform healthy cells into cancer cells. The research indicates that Ku70 can neutralize cancer cells and clear damaged DNA, preventing them from becoming more aggressive and spreading throughout the body. This deactivates the cells and keeps them in a dormant state.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in Australia, with an estimated one in 20 people being diagnosed by the age of 85. The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program offers free screening tests every two years to Australians aged between 50 and 74, promoting early detection and treatment. While the risk of developing bowel cancer is higher in people over 50, there has been a rise in the number of younger Australians diagnosed with the disease, with one in nine new cases occurring in those under 50.
Professor Si Ming Man, also from ANU, suggested that future bowel cancer screening methods could involve checking the levels of Ku70 in pre-cancerous polyps found in the colon, before healthy cells turn cancerous. The research shows that Ku70 is a valuable immune biomarker, helping predict the outcomes for individuals diagnosed with bowel cancer.
In anticipation of World Cancer Day on 4 February, the ANU researchers urge people of all ages to be aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. Early detection and treatment are crucial not only for overcoming bowel cancer but potentially for other cancers as well.
More information:
Abhimanu Pandey et al, Ku70 senses cytosolic DNA and assembles a tumor-suppressive signalosome, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh3409. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adh3409
Provided by Australian National University
Citation: ‘Cancer-cooling’ protein puts bowel cancer on ice (2024, January 26) retrieved 27 January 2024 from
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