A landmark study published in Nature has found that a toxin produced by certain gut bacteria may be contributing to the sharp rise of colorectal cancer in younger people. The toxin, called colibactin, has been linked to DNA damage in colon cells, which can lead to cancer development.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego sequenced the DNA of 981 patients with colorectal cancer and found that colibactin-related mutations were three times more common in patients under 40 compared to those over 70.
The study suggests that colibactin’s damaging effects begin in childhood, with initial DNA changes occurring during the first decade of life. The researchers propose several possible explanations for this link, including early-life antibiotic use, dietary shifts, and increased rates of C-section births.
While the findings have significant implications for public health, many questions remain unanswered. Dr. Shuji Ogino and Christopher Johnston, experts in the field, agree that more research is needed to understand the original cause of colorectal cancers. They suggest that microbial interactions may amplify the effects of colibactin, and targeted interventions such as vaccines and probiotics may be necessary.
The researchers plan to develop a non-invasive test using stool samples to identify people at elevated risk for developing early-onset colorectal cancer. Vaccination-based approaches are also being explored, potentially with childhood vaccines that generate immune memory against colibactin-producing E. coli.
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/cancer/colon-cancer-young-people-dna-damage-gut-toxin-antibiotics-rcna202572