Scientists Institute of Cancer Research Dana-Farber found additional evidence of the connection of the use of meat and intestinal cancer. This is reported in the article published in the journal Cancer Discovery. Briefly about scientific work is described in a press release on MedicalXpress.
Scientists were sequenced by the spacing of colorectal carcinoma cancer. The exom is called that part of the genome, which is represented by exon – areas that directly participate in protein synthesis. In total, 900 cases of cancer in patients who were observed within the framework of the study linking the disease with the lifestyle and power supply.
researchers found that cancer cases were associated with the type of DNA damage, called alkylation, which was not previously described for colorectal carcinoma. Alkylation was subjected to Kras and Pik3ca proto-currencycles. KRAS encodes a protein that participates in the transmission of signals related to the initiation of growth and cell division. In addition, it is widely known that mutations in Pik3ca are associated with the development of various human tumors.
Subjected to changes in tissue, mainly located in the distal intestinal department, which leads to a direct intestine, where tumors are most often developed. All identified mutations in genes were also associated with poor patient survival. The most extensive levels of alkylation raised the risks of death from the rectal cancer by 47 percent.
A similar mutation process was observed in the tissues of a healthy intestine, but in all cases scientists revealed an association with a high level of consumption of recycled and unprocessed red meat, but not with the consumption of birds, fish or other lifestyle factors. This is explained by the fact that the meat contains chemicals that can cause alkylation, for example, nitros compounds.
According to scientists, the results of the study will help develop cancer prevention methods. For example, patients can be identified who have already begun to accumulate mutational signatures, and thus determine who is subjected to a different risk of cancer development or has a disease at an early stage. The understanding of the biological path through which the diet can cause intestinal cancer, makes it possible to create medicines that prevent alkylation. The authors also recommend refusing to eat red meat and stick to balanced nutrition.