Colon Cancer Cells Can Change Identity To Spread Faster: Study

Summary

Scientists have discovered that colon cancer cells can change their identity to spread more quickly, a process driven by a drop in levels of a gene regulating protein called GATA6. This transformation allows the cells to become highly adaptable and travel through the bloodstream to form new tumors in the liver. The findings suggest that changes in gene activity, rather than new DNA mutations, may play a key role in the spread of colorectal cancer.