New study finds genetic switches for colon cancer

Scientists from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have identified DNA sequences that could act as "master switches" for colon cancer.

The researchers analysed segments of DNA located between genes, also known as junk DNA, to identify gene enhancer elements that can turn key genes involved in colon cancer development on and off.

Dubbed variant enhancer loci (VELs) by the team, these epimutations are reversible, offering a potentially viable new avenue for treating the deadly disease.

It was also found that VELs define a clear molecular signature for colon cancer, regardless of tumour type or the stage of disease progression.

Study collaborator Dr Sanford Markowitz said the next step will be to ascertain "whether we can use VELs for personalised medicine to molecularly define distinct groups of colon cancers … and to enable selection of specific drugs that will best treat a given colon tumour".

Last month, data from Cancer Research UK revealed that nearly ten percent of bowel cancer patients in Britain die within one month of being diagnosed with the disease.