A team of researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) recently announced an extraordinary discovery that could revolutionize the treatment of colon cancer. The research, led by Dr Abhimanu Pandeyhighlighted the key role of a protein in immune system call Ku70which could be manipulated to combat this widespread disease.
The hope of protein Ku70
Il colon cancera leading cause of deaths in Australia, claims more than 100 lives every week. However, the exciting news is that about the 90% of cases could be treated successfully if detected early. The key to this promising breakthrough is protein Ku70.
Doctor Pandey explains that the Ku70 can be activated as a “light switch” through the use of a combination of new and existing drugs. In an activated state, this protein acts as a system surveillance within cellsdetecting signs of Damaged DNA. Il DNAthe genetic code of life, becomes a signature of danger when damaged, transforming the healthy cells in cancer cells.
What makes the discovery so revolutionary is that the Ku70once activated, acts as a “cooling” agent on cancer cells, cleaning up the DNA damaged and preventing the aggressive spread of cancer in the body. Basically, the protein deactivates the cancer cellskeeping them in a dormant state.
A new way to treat colon cancer
Il colon cancercurrently ranked as the fourth most diagnosed cancer in Australia, strikes one person in 20 by age 85. However, the risk also appears to be increasing among younger people, with one in nine new cases diagnosed in individuals under the age of 50.
The Professor Si Ming Manalso from the ANU, highlighted that the future of colon cancer screening methodologies could include monitoring levels of Ku70 in the precancerous polyps, abnormalities of tissue growth in the colon. This methodology could provide a more precise means of diagnosis before healthy cells transform cancer cells.
Ahead of the upcoming World Cancer Day on February 4, the ANU research team is appealing to people of all ages to be aware of the signs and symptoms of colon cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment are keynot only for colon cancer but also for other forms of this disease.
The Professor Man says with hope that the research conducted at the ANU will not only raise awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer but will open up new avenues in the fight against this disease which affects so many lives. The scientific community unites in offering its best wishes for the discovery of Ku70 marks a significant step in the search for an effective cure for the colon cancer and, possibly, for other types of cancer.
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