HKDC1 identified as a potential colon cancer therapy target

A research team in Kiel has discovered a protein called HKDC1 that may be linked to colorectal cancer, especially in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). People with IBD have a higher risk of developing this type of cancer, but the reasons have not been well understood. The researchers found that when the gene producing HKDC1 is removed from cancer cells, tumor growth slows down or stops completely. They published their findings in the journal Cancer Communications. The protein HKDC1 is involved in carbohydrate metabolism and is found in higher levels in IBD patients. Scientists conducted experiments using cell cultures, artificial intestinal models, and mice. They noticed that cancer cells without HKDC1 became less capable of dividing and more likely to die, which reduced tumor development. However, more studies are needed to see if these results apply to humans. The increase of HKDC1 in IBD patients might be a reason for their higher cancer risk. Blocking HKDC1 could lead to new therapies for both IBD and colorectal cancer using chemical inhibitors or by adjusting the gut microbiome. Some cancer treatments rely on gut bacteria, which can affect how drugs work. The researchers are exploring how the microbiome influences HKDC1 production and hope to find ways to slow down tumor growth by modifying the microbiome.