Scientists in Scotland have announced a significant medical breakthrough that could lead to revolutionary new treatments for bowel and liver cancers. The discovery centres on understanding why specific cancer-causing genes only trigger disease in particular organs, a puzzle that has long challenged researchers.
Hijacking the Body's Signalling System
Experts at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute have been investigating genetic defects that allow cancer to take control of the 'WNT pathway.' This crucial biological signalling system normally regulates healthy cell growth, but when hijacked by tumours, it enables cancer to develop and spread aggressively within the intestine and liver.
The Dangerous Protein Discovery
A new study published in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics reveals a critical finding: when these genetic errors occur, levels of a protein called nucleophosmin (NPM1) reach dangerously high concentrations. The research demonstrates that blocking this specific protein could potentially halt the progression of these hard-to-treat malignancies.
Professor Owen Sansom, director of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and the University of Glasgow, who led the research project, explained the significance: "Because NPM1 isn't essential for normal adult tissue health, blocking it could be a safe way to treat certain cancers, like some hard-to-treat bowel and liver cancers."
He elaborated on the mechanism: "We found that if NPM1 is removed, cancer cells struggle to make proteins properly, and this allows a tumour suppressor to activate, preventing cancer growth."
Addressing Growing Cancer Challenges
The research comes at a critical time, as increasing numbers of people are affected by these cancers across the UK. According to figures from Bowel Cancer UK, approximately 44,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer annually nationwide, while liver cancer claims around 17 lives each year.
Professor Sansom emphasised the urgency: "Some treatments are unfortunately limited for some patients, so finding a new way to tackle these cancers is crucial."
The SpecifiCancer Project
This discovery forms part of the broader 'SpecifiCancer' project, which aims to understand why particular genetic mutations only produce tumours in specific tissues. While proteins like NPM1 are typically vital for building healthy skin and hair, mutations can manipulate the body's cellular system to cause uncontrolled cell division and cancer development.
Towards New Pharmaceutical Interventions
The scientific team is now focusing on finding pharmaceutical interventions that can effectively prevent NPM1 protein production. If successful, a novel drug targeting this protein could provide a safe and effective alternative to existing therapies that merely slow tumour development rather than stopping it completely.
Dr David Scott, director of Cancer Grand Challenges, commented on the breakthrough's importance: "Scientific breakthroughs like this demonstrate the power of Cancer Grand Challenges to bring together the world's best minds to transform our understanding of how cancer starts and, crucially, how we treat it."
He added: "By scrutinising the fundamental processes that drive cancer, we can tackle the disease at its beginnings, driving progress towards real-world impact for people affected by cancer."
This research represents a significant step forward in the battle against two of the UK's most challenging cancers, offering hope for more targeted and effective treatments in the future.
