Researchers have discovered a molecule that not only aids in the healing of damaged intestines but also inhibits tumor growth in colorectal cancer. This breakthrough could pave the way for new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as well as cancer.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have uncovered a molecule capable of assisting the intestines in recovery after injury and simultaneously preventing tumor growth associated with colorectal cancer. This finding may result in innovative therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cancer. The findings are detailed in the journal Nature.
A significant number of individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, do not respond to current treatment options, underlining the urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. In a recent study published in Nature, the researchers suggest that encouraging healing of the intestinal lining through tissue regeneration could serve as a viable alternative to immunosuppressive medications.
“However, promoting tissue regeneration poses challenges, as it can inadvertently lead to tumor development due to cancer cells potentially taking advantage of the body’s healing processes and proliferating uncontrollably,” explains lead author Srustidhar Das, a research specialist in Eduardo Villablanca’s team at the Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, located in Solna. “We have successfully identified a molecule that facilitates intestinal healing while simultaneously inhibiting tumor growth in colorectal cancer.”
In their exploration of new treatment possibilities for IBD, the researchers discovered several molecules with promising drug-candidate qualities. They found that activating a protein known as the Liver X receptor (LXR) can enhance tissue regeneration and inhibit tumor growth in colorectal cancer.
“The dual functions identified in this discovery were remarkable,” states Eduardo J. Villablanca, Docent at Karolinska Institutet. “Our next step is to further investigate how LXR influences tumor development.”
The research team employed a variety of advanced technologies, which included mapping the transcriptome of intestinal cells. They also created 3D organoids—tiny, three-dimensional structures that replicate the function and architecture of the body’s organs on a smaller scale. Utilizing spatial transcriptomics, they mapped gene expression across various tissues, a method developed at SciLifeLab by scientists from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.
In Sweden, over 7,000 individuals are diagnosed with bowel or rectal cancer each year, making this the third most prevalent cancer type in the country. Treatment typically involves chemotherapy and radiation, which can lead to irritation and swelling of the bowel mucosa, causing chronic intestinal inflammation.
“Therefore, this novel therapeutic molecule holds promise for addressing not only IBD but also for managing chronic bowel complications in cancer patients who have undergone radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy,” comments Eduardo J. Villablanca.
This research was supported by various funding agencies, including the Swedish Research Council, Formas (The Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning), Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Novo Nordisk, the Swedish Cancer Society, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and the Ã…ke Wiberg Foundation.
Two authors have disclosed potential conflicts of interest: Eduardo J. Villablanca has received research support from the pharmaceutical company F. Hoffmann-La Roche, and Srustidhar Das serves as a consultant for Cellphi Biotechnology AB.
