Scientists have discovered a protein that becomes inactive during chemotherapy and reactivates colorectal cancer after a while
or colorectal cancer It is a type of cancer that affects the abdominal region, compromising the functioning of vital organs, such as the intestine, and can spread to other regions of the body. According to INCA (National Cancer Institute), the disease is one of the most common killers of men and women in Brazil. And its treatment, more often than not, is through chemotherapy.
The big problem, besides the late diagnosis of colorectal cancer, is that in some cases, even after treatment with chemotherapy, the patient relapses and the cancer develops again. But science appears to have taken a new step to prevent this type of situation from occurring.
According to a study conducted by the researcher of the Icrea (Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies) and head of the Colorectal Cancer Laboratory of the IRB (Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina) of Barcelona, Eduardo Batlle, there are some cancer cells that are inactivated during colorectal cancer treatment and, after chemotherapy, are reactive and cause relapse.
This happens due to the Mex3a protein, which is present in persistent cancer stem cells. The discovery allows for the design of new drugs or treatments to directly combat this protein and prevent the re-development of colorectal cancer after chemotherapy.
“Chemotherapy is effective and kills most, but not all, cancer cells. Our discovery reveals the identity of a persistent group of cells that are resistant to chemotherapy and continue to regenerate the tumor after treatment. Our work opens up. the road to drug development killing these cells, which would make chemotherapy more effective and improve survival rates, ”Batlle said in a statement.
Understand colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers among Brazilians. This factor further underlines the importance of discussing the course of the disease in order, for example, to publicize the main methods of prevention.
“You should invest in a diet rich in fiber and a lower intake of red and processed meats. Exercise, avoid alcoholic beverages, smoking and maintain a healthy weight. In addition to this, it is important to investigate whether the patient has inflammation. chronic bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, as well as a family history of colorectal cancer cases, “explains oncologist, Dr. Artur Ferreira, member of the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology (SBOC).
Bowel Cancer Symptoms
However, as with most cancers, early detection of possible colorectal cancer is essential for treatment to be effective and provide a cure for the disease. For this, in addition to carrying out regular consultations and exams, it is essential to stay tuned for some characteristic symptoms and signs. As listed by Dr. Ferrera:
- Constipation;
- Diarrhea;
- Narrowing of the caliber of the stool;
- Absence of a feeling of relief after defecation;
- As if not all the fecal contents had been eliminated;
- Blood in the stool
- cramps;
- Abdominal pain;
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
- Weakness and a feeling of fatigue
Treatment
Colorectal cancer treatment can be local, with surgery, radiotherapy, embolization, and ablation; or systemic – chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapies. “Unlike breast cancer, for example, where the disease is usually identified at an early stage with routine tests, colorectal cancer can be discovered in the precancerous stage with colonoscopy. The good news is that when the lesions occur. are removed early, the onset of cancer can be avoided “, concludes Dr. Ferreira.
Source: Terra
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