A
NATURAL SAFETY MECHANISM in the colon impedes
development of adenomas, according to scientists
at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB)
in Barcelona, Spain. The colon increases produc-
tion of a molecule, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP),
during adenoma formation in the colon. This molecule limits
adenoma stem cells' ability to renew themselves, which slows
development of the precancerous lesions.
In a study published in Nature Cell Biology, the IRB scientists
suggest that genetic variations in the population mean people
have this safety mechanism to different degrees. Scientists
see evidence for that in the genomic region where BMP
production is regulated. Genomic differences linked to colon
cancer susceptibility are in the same location.
Further studies based on the findings may help pinpoint
populations at highest risk for colon cancer, researchers say. n
— By Andrew Carney
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
❮❮❮ THAT'SNEWS
Natural Process in Colon
Restrains Tumor
Development
SPECIAL
CLINICAL
SECTION:
GASTROENTEROLGY
M D N E W S . CO M ■ MD NEWS Minnesota
|
1 5
