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Itisha Arya

Scientists Find Possible Breakthrough In Bowel And Liver Cancer Treatment

liver cancer treatment

Scientists have identified promising new treatment pathways that could slow or stop the growth of bowel and liver cancers. A research team at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute in Glasgow set out to answer a long-standing question in cancer science: why do certain cancer-causing genes lead to tumours only in specific organs, such as the bowel or liver, and not throughout the body?

<h2>Scientists Explore Why Some Genes Trigger Cancer Only in Certain Organs</h2>

The study forms part of the Cancer Grand Challenges programme, a global initiative led by Cancer Research UK and the US National Cancer Institute. Researchers focused on bowel and liver cancers to understand how genetic faults interact with the body’s internal growth systems in organ-specific ways.

<h2>How The WNT Pathway Helps Bowel And Liver Tumours Grow</h2>

The team examined genetic errors that allow cancer cells to hijack a key signalling system known as the WNT pathway. This pathway normally helps regulate how cells grow and divide. However, when disrupted by mutations, it can send the wrong signals, encouraging cells in the intestine and liver to multiply uncontrollably and form tumours.

Cancer cells exploit this faulty communication network to support their own survival and growth, making the WNT pathway a major driver in these cancers.

<h2>NPM1 Protein Emerges As A Key Cancer Driver</h2>

In findings published in Nature Genetics, researchers discovered that a protein called nucleophosmin, or NPM1, was present at unusually high levels in bowel cancer and some liver cancers. This increase was directly linked to genetic faults in the WNT pathway.

NPM1 plays an important role in managing cell growth and protein production. In cancer cells, excess NPM1 appears to support tumour development by helping malignant cells function and multiply more efficiently.

<h2>Blocking NPM1 Could Lead to Safer Cancer Treatments</h2>

By blocking or reducing NPM1, scientists believe it may be possible to disrupt cancer growth without causing significant harm to healthy tissue. Professor Owen Sansom, director of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and the University of Glasgow, who led the study, explained that NPM1 is not essential for normal adult tissue health.

He said that removing NPM1 causes cancer cells to struggle with protein production, which then allows a tumour-suppressing mechanism to switch on and halt cancer growth. This makes NPM1 an attractive target for new treatments, particularly for bowel and liver cancers that are difficult to treat with existing options.

As per Express UK, Professor Sansom noted that bowel and liver cancers are affecting increasing numbers of people, while treatment choices remain limited for some patients. Identifying a new and potentially safer way to tackle these cancers could make a meaningful difference for those who do not respond well to current therapies.

Scotland has some of the highest rates of bowel and liver cancer in the UK. Around 4,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Scotland each year, and it remains the country’s second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, claiming approximately 1,700 lives annually. Liver cancer is responsible for around 670 deaths each year in Scotland.

<h2>Early-Onset Bowel Cancer Is Increasing Among Younger Adults</h2>

Adding to the concern, recent research by the American Cancer Society, published in The Lancet Oncology, found that bowel cancer rates among adults aged 25 to 49 are rising in 27 of the 50 countries studied. The increase has been particularly steep among young women in Scotland and England, outpacing rates seen in men of the same age group.

The study is part of the SpecifiCancer initiative, launched in 2019 by Cancer Research UK and the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research. The programme aims to understand why certain cancer-causing genes trigger disease only in specific tissues.

By identifying these patterns, researchers hope to develop treatments that are better tailored to individual patients and to the organs affected, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all approaches.

<h2>Could This Discovery Apply to Other Cancer Types Too?</h2>

While the current research focused on bowel and liver cancers, scientists believe the findings could have wider implications. Similar genetic mechanisms may be at play in other cancers, opening the door to further targeted research.

The next step will be to explore medicines that can block or reduce NPM1 production. Current treatments can slow tumour growth, but a drug that directly targets NPM1 could offer a more precise and effective option.

Dr David Scott, director of Cancer Grand Challenges, said discoveries like this highlight the importance of studying cancer at its most basic level. By understanding how cancer begins and sustains itself, researchers can design treatments that intervene earlier and more effectively, ultimately improving outcomes for people living with the disease.

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Scientists have identified promising new treatment pathways that could slow or stop the growth of bowel and liver cancers. A research team at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute in Glasgow set out to answer a long-standing question in cancer science: why do certain cancer-causing genes lead to tumours only in specific organs, such as the bowel or liver, and not throughout the body?Scientists Explore Why Some Genes Trigger Cancer Only in Certain OrgansThe study forms part of the Cancer Grand Challenges programme, a global initiative led by Cancer Research UK and the US National Cancer Institute. Researchers focused on bowel and liver cancers to understand how genetic faults interact with the body’s internal growth systems in organ-specific ways.How The WNT Pathway Helps Bowel And Liver Tumours GrowThe team examined genetic errors that allow cancer cells to hijack a key signalling system known as the WNT pathway. This pathway normally helps regulate how cells grow and divide. However, when disrupted by mutations, it can send the wrong signals, encouraging cells in the intestine and liver to multiply uncontrollably and form tumours.Cancer cells exploit this faulty communication network to support their own survival and growth, making the WNT pathway a major driver in these cancers.NPM1 Protein Emerges As A Key Cancer DriverIn findings published in Nature Genetics, researchers discovered that a protein called nucleophosmin, or NPM1, was present at unusually high levels in bowel cancer and some liver cancers. This increase was directly linked to genetic faults in the WNT pathway.NPM1 plays an important role in managing cell growth and protein production. In cancer cells, excess NPM1 appears to support tumour development by helping malignant cells function and multiply more efficiently.Blocking NPM1 Could Lead to Safer Cancer TreatmentsBy blocking or reducing NPM1, scientists believe it may be possible to disrupt cancer growth without causing significant harm to healthy tissue. Professor Owen Sansom, director of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and the University of Glasgow, who led the study, explained that NPM1 is not essential for normal adult tissue health.He said that removing NPM1 causes cancer cells to struggle with protein production, which then allows a tumour-suppressing mechanism to switch on and halt cancer growth. This makes NPM1 an attractive target for new treatments, particularly for bowel and liver cancers that are difficult to treat with existing options.As per Express UK, Professor Sansom noted that bowel and liver cancers are affecting increasing numbers of people, while treatment choices remain limited for some patients. Identifying a new and potentially safer way to tackle these cancers could make a meaningful difference for those who do not respond well to current therapies.Scotland has some of the highest rates of bowel and liver cancer in the UK. Around 4,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Scotland each year, and it remains the country’s second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, claiming approximately 1,700 lives annually. Liver cancer is responsible for around 670 deaths each year in Scotland.Early-Onset Bowel Cancer Is Increasing Among Younger AdultsAdding to the concern, recent research by the American Cancer Society, published in The Lancet Oncology, found that bowel cancer rates among adults aged 25 to 49 are rising in 27 of the 50 countries studied. The increase has been particularly steep among young women in Scotland and England, outpacing rates seen in men of the same age group.The study is part of the SpecifiCancer initiative, launched in 2019 by Cancer Research UK and the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research. The programme aims to understand why certain cancer-causing genes trigger disease only in specific tissues.By identifying these patterns, researchers hope to develop treatments that are better tailored to individual patients and to the organs affected, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all approaches.Could This Discovery Apply to Other Cancer Types Too?While the current research focused on bowel and liver cancers, scientists believe the findings could have wider implications. Similar genetic mechanisms may be at play in other cancers, opening the door to further targeted research.The next step will be to explore medicines that can block or reduce NPM1 production. Current treatments can slow tumour growth, but a drug that directly targets NPM1 could offer a more precise and effective option.Dr David Scott, director of Cancer Grand Challenges, said discoveries like this highlight the importance of studying cancer at its most basic level. By understanding how cancer begins and sustains itself, researchers can design treatments that intervene earlier and more effectively, ultimately improving outcomes for people living with the disease.