Genetic Key for Colon Cancer Found between Fruit Flies & Humans

Fruit flies do not have an individual colon, instead an intestine that contains a colon and rectum that similarly mimics the function of a human colon. Researchers at the Institute for Research in BioMedicine - Barcelona, have recently developed fruit flies with mutated APC and Ras genes. APC and Ras genes are two particular genes that are altered in tumors for human colon cancer. Since fruit flies have a short reproductive cycle, they're great for genetic research. The scientists were able to examine 250 genes that were altered with APC and Ras type tumors. Only 30% of the genes actually determined the rate of tumor growth. Of all the genes involved, the group of researchers focused on a gene called Mirror in a Drosophila, Irx in humans. Through their study, they were able to determine that the gene was a huge factor for tumor growth in the early stages of the cancer. This was very promising news because the study of human cancer - especially in the early stages is difficult.

Tumor (Green) surrounded by Muscle Fibers (Red) of the Drosophila Studied

The findings in this study is certainly a breakthrough. "We have generated cancer in an adult organism and from stem cells, thus reproducing what happens in most types of human cancers," explained Andreu Casali - Associate Researcher at the institute.  Now scientists are able to look at a new perspective for human colon cancer. As research continues they'll be able to target certain genes like Irx in humans in the early stages of cancer to hopefully stop the spread of tumors. Irx will certainly be focus point for drug treatment in colon cancer. Fruit flies can't be used for potential drug treatments of colon cancer. However, fruit flies will help scientists to develop the target points when they conduct mice testing.The fruit flies give scientists a new way to analyze the minor interactions in cancerous cells, a area of study that was extremely difficult with mice and current technology. This also allows scientists to manipulate fruit flies at a much faster and cost-effective way than testing with lab mice. Hopefully, as research continues, soon they'll be a way to beat colon cancer, and many of the other cancers that continue to plague our society. 

Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141008101400.htm

Article Related: Arc and Ras Genes in Colon Cancer - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15943410

Colorectal Cancer Target Found in Gene

Researchers in Canada, led by senior scientist John Dick, discovered that switching off a gene in the cancer stem cells of colon cancer makes them unable to renew themselves.  John Dick and his team of researchers conducted the study of cancer stem cells which ran a series of pre-clinical experiments where they replicated human colon cancer in mice.  By doing this the researchers were able to find out more about targeting the cancer stem cells.  Cancer stem cells are cells that can differentiate into all the types of cell that are in a tumor.  The team found that the gene BMI-1 drives self renewal, proliferation, and survival in colon cancer stem cells.  With this finding the researchers were able to block the gene in the mice by using a small molecule inhibitor.  Dick states, "When we blocked the BMI-1 pathway, the stem cells were unable to self-renew, which resulted in long-term and irreversible impairment of tumor growth. In other words, the cancer was permanently shut down".  This is a great discovery and could possibly treat many colorectal cancer patients in the future.  I foud this article very interesting and I wonder how they would block the gene in humans.  Needless to say this new information is a step in the right firection and can lead to bigger and better things.

 

 

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269539.php

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001308/

Linking Epigenetic "Switches" to Colon Cancer

A recent study at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine has found major "switches" in individuals genetic code that are linked to colon cancer. The term "epigenetics" refers not to one's DNA sequence, but to the specific proteins that bind to the DNA. Studies in the last few years have shown that epigenetic factors have the ability to turn genes "on" and "off". Similar breakthrough studies have been conducted for breast and lung cancer. The master "switches" found in this study have been named "Variant Enhancer Loci" or VEL's. The presence of certain epigenetic factors has been shown to be significant in an individuals susceptibility to colon cancer.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="460" caption="The stages of Colon Cancer"][/caption]

After completing the human genome project roughly ten years ago, it has become apparent that we are just scratching the surface in our knowledge of genetics. The epigenome, which has proven to be more complex and intricate, controls the very execution of our genes. To understand this new code in a way that will help to treat the over 100,000 people in the United States with colon cancer is something that should be further looked into.