In the development of cancer, the presence of certain genes is as important as the microenvironment that surrounds the cells. Now, researchers at the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai in New York (USA) have identified a new gene that is essential for the growth of colon cancer but have also found that inflammation in the external microenvironment around the tumor can contribute to the growth of tumor cells.
This is the first time it has been discovered that the environment around a colon cancer tumor can program what is known as a “superpower«, a complex area of DNA with a high concentration of transcriptional machinery that controls whether a cell is malignant.
Said superenhancer, they explain in an article published in «Nature Communications», is the largest 1-2% of all enhancers in the cell, it regulates the PDZK1IP1 gene, which had not previously been identified as a cancer gene.
In their work, when PDZK1IP1 was knocked out, colon cancer growth was interrupted, suggesting that PDZK1IP1 and its super-enhancer could be drug targets for anticancer therapies.
For most colon cancer patients, it is the inflammation that occurs in the tumor that contributes to tumor growth.
“This cancer relies on surgery for its treatment, and the immunotherapies that have revolutionized the treatment of advanced cancer have only worked for a small subset of colon cancer patients. That is why there is a great need for a new identification of objectives”, says the first author of the study, Royce Zhou.
Insights from the research found that the super enhancer is activated by surrounding inflammation in the tumor microenvironment. Inflammation allows cancer cells to survive in an environment where they would not otherwise.
It should not be forgotten that inflammatory bowel disease is a known risk factor for colon cancer; this finding could contribute to the understanding of the mechanism involved.
“What this means for most colon cancer patients is that the inflammation that occurs in the tumor contributes to tumor growth. This emphasizes the importance of curbing inflammatory effects in the colon through prevention or understanding of the effects of diet on the colonic microenvironment.” Ramon Parsons.
Sabeos adds, that targeting this gene actually inhibits tumors. Now, Parsons adds, “by understanding all these different components, we will have better tools to try to prevent disease.”