Researchers have found that bowel cancer cells can morph into skin or muscle cells, which allows them to spread more aggressively. This revelation could lead to better treatment options, particularly as the rates of the disease continue to climb, especially among younger individuals.
A study from the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre and the University of Edinburgh indicates that a significant factor in the aggressive behavior of bowel cancer is the loss of cells’ original identities, a process referred to as cellular plasticity. During this process, colonic cells start taking on characteristics of squamous skin cells or muscle cells, making them more formidable.
Bowel cancer ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK, claiming around 16,800 lives each year, including 1,700 in Scotland. Alarmingly, there’s been a noticeable uptick in cases among younger populations globally.
A recent analysis by the American Cancer Society published in The Lancet Oncology found that bowel cancer rates among adults aged 25-49 are rising in 27 out of 50 countries analyzed, with young women in Scotland and England experiencing a faster increase than their male counterparts.
Scotland, in particular, sees about 4,000 new diagnoses annually, as noted by Cancer Research UK.
The research discovered that bowel cancer cells could adapt to resemble skin cells, which are equipped to handle harsher conditions due to their protective role, as well as muscle cells, both of which tend to be more resilient.
Cellular plasticity plays a crucial role in the metastasis of bowel cancer—essentially making it more challenging to treat as the disease spreads.
Scientists are optimistic that identifying and inhibiting this process might lead to more effective treatments and potentially prevent further spread of the disease.
The study also focused on a specific gene named Atrx, known for its association with aggressive bowel cancer forms. Using human tissue samples and mice, researchers found that losing this gene linked to an increase in metastatic tumors spreading from the bowel to other organs like the liver and lymph nodes.
A key aspect behind the spread appears to be the cells shedding their colonic identity to resemble tougher squamous or muscle cells.
The paper, titled “Loss Of Colonic Fidelity Enables Multilineage Plasticity And Metastasis,” was published in Nature, with funding from the Medical Research Council and the European Research Council.
Dr. Kevin Myant from the University of Edinburgh emphasized the importance of understanding how bowel cancer develops, particularly as more young individuals are diagnosed. He mentioned that this research uncovers a mechanism through which aggressive bowel cancer can transform and spread, paving the way for new treatment strategies.
Lead researcher Dr. Patrizia Cammareri highlighted that skin cells’ ability to endure harsher conditions might provide insight into how bowel cancer cells become more resilient and capable of spreading throughout the body.
Metastasis remains a significant contributor to cancer mortality, making this discovery crucial for the future of cancer research and patient outcomes.
Dr. Catherine Elliott, director of research at Cancer Research UK, noted that early diagnosis and treatment are essential for positive patient outcomes. She expressed hope that this research could lead to new methods for preventing the spread of bowel cancer, which is increasingly recognized as a global health concern. Cancer Research UK has invested £5.5 million into the CRC-STARS initiative to advance research in this area, gathering more than 40 experts to find innovative and gentler solutions to bowel cancer treatment.
