‘Cancer-Cooling’ Protein Puts Bowel Cancer on Ice

An immune system protein can be manipulated to help beat bowel cancer, according to new research from the Australian National University (ANU). The research is published in Scientists progress.

Bowel cancer claims more than 100 lives each week in Australia, but around 90% of cases can be treated successfully if detected early.

According to lead author Dr Abhimanu Pandey of ANU, the protein, known as Ku70, can be activated or “turned on” like a switch using a combination of new and existing drugs.

“In its activated state, the protein acts as a surveillance system, detecting signs of damaged DNA in our cells,” Dr Pandey said.

“DNA is the genetic code of life. Damaged DNA is a danger sign that can turn healthy cells into cancer cells.

“Our research shows that Ku70 can ‘cool’ cancer cells and mop up damaged DNA. The protein prevents cancer cells from becoming more aggressive and spreading throughout the body, essentially deactivating them and keeping them in a dormant state .”

Bowel cancer is the fourth most diagnosed cancer in Australia. It is estimated that one in 20 people will be diagnosed with bowel cancer before the age of 85.

Under the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, Australians aged 50 to 74 years receive a free bowel screening test every two years, an effective measure to promote early detection and treatment.

Although the risk of developing bowel cancer is higher in people aged over 50, an increasing number of younger Australians are being diagnosed with the disease. One in nine new cases of bowel cancer now occurs in Australians under the age of 50.

Professor Si Ming Man, also from the ANU, said future bowel cancer screening methods could include checking Ku70 levels in precancerous polyps, abnormal growths of tissue found in the colon, before prevent healthy cells from becoming cancerous.

“Our research shows that Ku70 is a good immune biomarker, meaning it helps us predict who will fare better or worse after being diagnosed with bowel cancer,” Professor Man said.

As World Cancer Day approaches on February 4, ANU researchers are calling on people of all ages to be aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.

“We know that early detection and treatment is key to beating not only bowel cancer, but potentially other cancers as well,” Professor Man said.

“We hope that the cancer research carried out at the ANU will help raise awareness of the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer on this important day.”