Boston Study Finds Tumor Differences in 189 Young-Onset Colon Cancers, Opening Treatment Paths
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Oct 29
Boston Study Finds Tumor Differences in 189 Young-Onset Colon Cancers, Opening Treatment Paths
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Oct 29
Summary
Researchers at Mass General Brigham, Dana-Farber and the Broad Institute found younger colorectal cancer patients have distinct tumor-cell makeup and gene expression after analyzing 189 tumors and more than 850,000 cell nuclei.
Higher levels of stromal cells in younger patients' tumors may help suppress immune responses and block drugs from penetrating the cancer, offering one explanation for tougher, more aggressive disease.
The findings do not explain why colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults, but they give scientists specific biological targets to study for age-tailored treatments.
Colorectal cancer rates in people under 50 have been climbing nearly 3% a year and the disease is now the leading cause of cancer death in that age group.
Kristen Vincent, diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer at 37 and now five years clear, said the research could spare other young families and urged people not to ignore warning signs such as persistent blood in stool.