New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) A team of researchers has linked a specific gene in the ulcerative colitis (UC) disease to an increased risk of colon cancer.
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that afflicts an estimated five million people worldwide and that is linked to an increased risk of colon cancer.
The research, published in the journal Science Advances, points to a new way to stop the disease from progressing.
Ulcerative colitis affects the large intestine, specifically areas called “crypts,” tube-like glands within the epithelial tissue that lines the intestine. When the colon is injured, epithelial crypt cells enter a “repair mode.” However, in patients with UC and UC-related colon cancers, these cells become stuck in repair mode, which scientists refer to as a “regenerative cell state.”
In the study, Kimberly Hartl from the Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology of the Max Delbruck Center (MDC-BIMSB) and Charite– Universitatsmedizin, found this defective repair mechanism is linked to a non-functional p53 gene, which plays a key role in regulating the cell cycle and in repairing DNA.
“In patients with ulcerative colitis who are at high risk for developing cancer, we could potentially target aberrant cells and get rid of them early, before any cancer occurs,” said Professor Michael Sigal, a senior author of the paper.
“If there is no p53, cells remain in a proliferative state,” Sigal added. The study suggests a potential new drug target to stop disease progression to cancer.
Existing tests to find precancerous lesions in patients with UC such as colonoscopies can identify visible lesions that sometimes are not easy to remove.
This study could be a first step in developing molecular tools for a less invasive diagnostic test that would allow physicians to identify the aberrant cells much earlier, even before visible alterations occur.
The next step is to transfer these findings to the human setting. The researchers are also now studying the repair process in more detail with the goal of developing more simple methods to identify cells with defective p53 genes in colon tissue.
–IANS
na/
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by BhaskarLive.in and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of BhaskarLive.in We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, BhaskarLive.in takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
