The Rising Tide of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: A New Understanding of Stiffness
Colorectal cancer is increasingly affecting younger adults, a trend that has puzzled medical professionals for decades. Now, groundbreaking research from UT Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center is shedding light on a potential key factor: the stiffness of colon tissue. This isn’t just about cancerous tissue being harder; surprisingly, even healthy tissue in younger patients is stiffer than in older individuals, potentially creating an environment where cancer can develop more easily.
The Mechanics of a Growing Problem
For years, the incidence of colorectal cancer has been declining in older adults. Although, rates have been steadily climbing in people under 50, making it the leading cause of cancer death for this age group in the United States. Researchers are now focusing on the biomechanical properties of the colon, specifically how stiffness impacts cancer development. The colon, normally a flexible tube, can become rigid when the collagen within its walls thickens due to inflammation or fibrosis.
How Stiffness Fuels Cancer Growth
The study, published in Advanced Science, involved biomechanical testing of tissue samples from 33 patients – 19 over 50 with average-onset colorectal cancer and 14 under 50 with early-onset colorectal cancer. Researchers discovered that both cancerous and non-cancerous tissue in the younger patients exhibited increased stiffness and viscosity. This stiffness isn’t merely a consequence of cancer; it appears to be a contributing factor.
Experiments conducted by the UT Dallas team, led by Dr. Jacopo Ferruzzi, demonstrated that cancer cells grown on stiff biomaterials proliferated more rapidly. This suggests that a stiffer environment provides a more favorable setting for cancer cells to grow and spread. Further experiments using patient-derived organoids – miniature 3D models of the colon – confirmed that stiffness accelerates cancer cell growth, regardless of the patient’s age.
The Role of Collagen and Mechanotransduction
The research points to changes in collagen microstructure as a key component of this increased stiffness. Collagen, a protein that normally provides structural support, becomes abnormally abundant in the tissues of younger patients, making them rigid. This increased stiffness also impacts a process called mechanotransduction, specifically activating Yes-associated protein (YAP), which promotes cell proliferation.
A Collaborative Approach to Discovery
This research is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. Researchers from UT Dallas, specializing in bioengineering and biomechanics, partnered with colorectal cancer specialists at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The study was conducted at the Texas Instruments Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Building, a facility designed to foster collaboration between the two institutions. The project received partial funding from a UT Dallas Collaborative Biomedical Research Award and grants from the National Institutes of Health.
Future Directions: Early Detection and Targeted Therapies
Dr. Ferruzzi believes this research could pave the way for better early detection methods and more targeted therapies for early-onset colorectal cancer. “If we can understand how physical forces fuel colorectal-cancer progression, then we can actually think about early diagnosis and, possibly, therapy,” he stated. The ultimate goal is to identify individuals at risk and prevent cancer from developing in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is early-onset colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer diagnosed in individuals under the age of 50.
- What is biomechanical stiffness? A measure of how resistant a tissue is to deformation.
- How does collagen relate to this research? Increased collagen abundance contributes to the stiffness of colon tissue.
- What is mechanotransduction? The process by which cells convert mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals.
Pro Tip: While this research is promising, maintaining a healthy lifestyle – including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking – remains crucial for reducing your overall cancer risk.
Learn more about the research being conducted at the UT Dallas Bioengineering Department and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Did you recognize? The incidence of colorectal cancer has been increasing in younger adults for the past 30 years, making this a critical area of research.
Have thoughts on this research? Share your comments below!
