A potential new treatment approach could help in the battle against bowel cancer, according to a group of scientists. A recent study published in Science Advances suggests that a combination of drugs might activate a particular immune system protein, Ku70, to fight against bowel cancer. Bowel cancer, also called colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer in the United States, with approximately 150,000 new cases reported each year. It is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., with an estimated 53,000 deaths expected in 2024, as reported by the American Cancer Society. However, early detection can increase the chances of survival.
The Australian National University’s new research has identified a potential treatment for bowel cancer involving the use of Ku70. Si Ming Man, a professor at the university, stated that individuals with bowel cancer tend to have lower levels of certain immune proteins, which makes them more likely to succumb to the disease at an earlier age. Ku70, an immune protein, has been identified as a useful biomarker for predicting the prognosis of individuals diagnosed with bowel cancer. The researchers found that Ku70 serves as a surveillance system that detects damaged DNA in cells. This damaged DNA can result from dying or dead cells, as well as from microbes living in the body. Ku70 acts to suppress cancer cells, clear damaged DNA, and maintain the cell in a quiescent state, preventing its ability to grow and divide. This is crucial as it helps prevent healthy cells from transforming into cancer cells or prevents cancer cells from developing into a tumor.
Furthermore, mutations in the gene responsible for Ku70 production are linked to the development of colorectal cancer. Therefore, drugs that target Ku70 and the protein complexes it forms may aid in preventing the spread of bowel cancer. The authors of the study noted that therapeutics targeting components of the Ku70 signalosome could enhance cancer treatment outcomes.
The future of bowel cancer screening may involve assessing the levels of Ku70 in abnormal growths. Man emphasized that developing drugs that activate Ku70 could aid in the fight against bowel cancer. Assessing the quantity of Ku70 in precancerous polyps may also help determine the frequency of bowel cancer screenings.
In conclusion, the research conducted at the Australian National University hopes to bring attention to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment in honor of World Cancer Day on February 4.肖
Stock representation of bowel cancer. Researchers may have found a new way to prevent the spread of this cancer.
Stock representation of bowel cancer. Researchers may have found a new way to prevent the spread of this cancer.
ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
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