New hope in the fight against colon cancer: Kiel research highlights HKDC1!

New hope in the fight against colon cancer: Kiel research highlights HKDC1!

The latest research results from Kiel show a crucial connection between chronic intestinal inflammation and colon cancer. According to a team from the Cluster of Excellence “Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation” (PMI) and the DFG research group “miTarget”, patients with chronic intestinal inflammation have a significantly increased risk of developing colon cancer. These findings were published in the journal *Cancer Communications*. The head of the study, PD Dr. Felix Sommer and his team have discovered that the protein HKDC1 is common in these patients and is considered a possible risk factor for the development of colon cancer.

The mechanisms that explain this relationship are not yet fully understood. However, research shows that removing the gene responsible for producing HKDC1 in cultures of cancer cells greatly inhibits tumor growth. These results support the hypothesis that high production of HKDC1 may be the reason why individuals with chronic intestinal inflammation have a higher risk of colorectal cancer.

Mechanisms and therapeutic approaches

In the search for therapeutic solutions, it was found that blocking HKDC1 could be considered a promising strategy in the treatment of colorectal cancer and chronic intestinal inflammation. Possible approaches for this include chemical inhibitors or targeted interventions in the microbiome. The microbiome, which can influence enzyme production in the body, is emerging as an interesting area of ​​research. Current studies are investigating whether changes in the microbiome can suppress tumor growth by affecting HKDC1 production.

In parallel studies, PS-341, an inhibitor, was also found to inhibit the action of HKDC1 in gastric cancer cells. Different cell lines were used to evaluate the effects on cell viability and metastasis. The results demonstrate that PS-341 reduces the invasive properties of HKDC1 in certain cell lines.

Risk factors for colon cancer

In addition to research on HKDC1, the general risk factors for colorectal cancer are of great importance. The most common risk factors include age, gender and family history. Studies show that the incidence of colon cancer increases significantly in people aged 50 and over. Men are particularly at risk as their risk is around 7 in 100, while for women it is 6 in 100. If there is a family history, preventive examinations can be recommended at a younger age.

Chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestine, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are also important risk factors. According to research, patients with ulcerative colitis have an increased risk compared to those with Crohn's disease. Obesity, unhealthy diet and lifestyle factors such as smoking and lack of exercise also increase the risk of cancer.

Another aspect to consider is the microbiome, whose composition and health can be crucial. An unhealthy diet promotes tumor-promoting bacteria, while a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk. Research is ongoing and it is important to have regular check-ups, especially in the presence of colon polyps, which may increase the risk of repeated polyp formation.