Researchers Uncover Protein Targeting Bowel and Liver Cancer

Researchers at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute in Glasgow have made significant strides in the fight against bowel and liver cancers by identifying a protein that may lead to new treatment options. This breakthrough revolves around targeting genetic errors that contribute to the growth of these cancers.

The team was part of the Cancer Grand Challenges programme, a collaborative initiative established by Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute. They focused on understanding the genetic defects that allow cancer to exploit the body’s cellular signalling mechanisms, specifically the WNT pathway, which regulates cell multiplication. This pathway can be manipulated by cancer to foster tumor development in the intestine and liver.

Findings published in Nature Genetics reveal that a protein known as nucleophosmin (NPM1) is present in elevated levels in bowel cancer and certain liver cancers due to faults in the WNT pathway. By inhibiting NPM1, researchers believe they can develop novel treatments that target the growth mechanisms of these cancers.

Professor Owen Sansom, director of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and leader of the research project, stated, “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 noted that removing NPM1 disrupts the ability of cancer cells to produce proteins effectively, allowing a tumour suppressor to activate and halt cancer growth.

The research is part of the SpecifiCancer project, which seeks to understand why specific cancer-causing genes trigger cancers in particular tissues. This initiative is crucial, especially in Scotland, which has one of the highest incidences of bowel and liver cancer in the UK. Approximately 4,200 individuals are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in the UK, making it the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Scotland, with around 1,700 fatalities annually.

Liver cancer also poses a significant threat, claiming approximately 670 lives each year in Scotland. Recent research from the American Cancer Society published in The Lancet Oncology indicates that early-onset bowel cancer rates are on the rise among individuals aged 25-49 in 27 out of 50 countries surveyed, with a notable increase in young women in Scotland and England.

Proteins are essential for constructing various bodily structures, including skin and tissues. When the body’s cellular communication network malfunctions, often due to mutations that transmit incorrect instructions from DNA, it can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation.

The SpecifiCancer project, funded jointly by Cancer Research UK and the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research since 2019, aims to discern the patterns behind why certain cancer-causing genes affect specific tissues. This current study primarily focuses on bowel and liver cancers, although researchers are optimistic that their findings may apply to other cancer types.

Moving forward, scientists plan to develop medical interventions to inhibit NPM1 protein production. Current therapies can slow tumor growth, and if a drug targeting NPM1 can be effectively developed, it may offer a safe and efficient treatment for these challenging cancers.

Dr David Scott, director of Cancer Grand Challenges, remarked, “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.” By examining the fundamental processes driving cancer, researchers aim to tackle the disease at its roots and significantly impact the lives of those affected by cancer.