Colon cancer: APC protein affects immunity and prevents pre-cancerous inflammation

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is a gene whose mutations are associated with a rare, hereditary form of colorectal cancer known as familial adenomatous polyposis. Research led by scientists at the Institut Pasteur and Inserm have recently demonstrated that mutations to this gene do not only lead to the emergence of colon polyps; they also harm the immune system, leaving it unable to tackle inflammation of the colonic mucosa. This dual impact supports the development of cancer. The finding, published in the journal Cell Reports on October 3, 2017, advances scientific knowledge on the development mechanisms of colorectal cancer.

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