Bowel cancer: Researchers identify genetic markers for metastasis formation

So far, few genes have been linked to the formation of metastases in colorectal cancer. Now, researchers at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch and the Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Germany, identified 115 genes, disregulated in both the primary tumor and its metastases. The 115 genes, the researchers found that they focused on a gene in particular: BAMBI. They discovered that this gene is metastatic tumors and metastases in cases of non-metastatic tumors. These tumor cells in a primary tumor.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that in the United States alone, 106,100 cases of bowel cancer, and 49,920 patients are treated with both colon and rectal cancer in 2009.

From food glands in the intestine, colorectal cancer is often initially not. "But the biggest problem is not the primary tumor," says the surgeon and clinical researcher Dr. Johannes Fritz man, "but the risk of metastasis."

Metastases occur when individual cells of the break of the primary tumor and other parts of the body on the blood vessels or the lymphatic system. In colorectal cancer cells, usually in the liver, lungs or lymph nodes. Given that patients are rarely opinions, pain or other symptoms, the tumor is often not detected until it has already metastasized.

To study the genetic changes for the formation of metastases, the researchers analyzed 150 tissue samples of patients with colorectal cancer with or without metastases. Researchers identified 115 genes, the poorly regulated in primary tumors and their metastases. This approach has enabled researchers to identify genetic signatures of different metastatic potential of those tumors did not metastasize.

The 115 genes, the researchers found that they focused on a gene in particular: BAMBI. They discovered that this gene is metastatic tumors and metastases in cases of non-metastatic tumors.

"Our research shows that the gene is particularly BAMBI in two signaling pathways of import, and thus promotes the formation of metastases," said Dr. Fritz man. These signaling pathways (Wnt and TGF-beta) are, among others, in developing embryo. "

In the future, researchers want to examine the role of the other 114 genes more, to better understand the different steps of metastasis formation.

The objective - to the early prediction, if the tumor is

Fritz man hopes that the results of the research is at an early stage, if a tumor has the potential to metastasize. Doctors could then treating accordingly.r.