A recent study has raised concerns about the rising incidence of colorectal cancer among younger populations, suggesting that early exposure to a bacterial toxin known as colibactin may play a significant role. Led by Ludmil Alexandrov, the research team analyzed nearly 1,000 colorectal cancer samples from individuals across 11 countries, uncovering a troubling association between colibactin-related DNA mutations and cancers diagnosed before the age of 40.
The findings indicate that colibactin-related mutations are 3.3 times more prevalent in colorectal cancers diagnosed in individuals under 40 compared to those diagnosed after 70. Additionally, the researchers estimated that exposure to colibactin does not take place until after birth, possibly before a child’s 10th birthday. Taken together, these findings provide compelling evidence for a link between the genotoxin colibactin and early-onset colorectal cancer. For that reason, the study authors emphasize that more research is needed to conclusively prove causation.
Study Findings and Implications
The new study led by Alexandrov’s team lays down some of the most powerful associative evidence of colibactin’s effects as a potential carcinogen. The study uncovers an alarming increase in colorectal cancer incidence in younger adults. The people born circa 1990 are now twice as likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer, and four times as likely to be diagnosed with rectal cancer, than those born circa 1950.
The American Cancer Society has a grim new trend to report. From 2015 to 2019, the overall rate of colorectal cancers among U.S. adults younger than 55 increased by 1% to 2% annually. This growing trend has led many researchers to explore what environmental and biological contributors might be playing a role in this shocking increase.
“Our study provides very strong associative evidence,” – Ludmil Alexandrov
Even with these important implications, Alexandrov is the first to admit that colibactin wasn’t the primary target of his team’s investigation. This coming-to-light discovery shows just how unexpected their findings were. It underscores the immediate need to further study how these kids are exposed to this dangerous toxin.
Continued Research Needed
Authors of this study provided compelling evidence that connects colibactin to early-onset colorectal cancer. Researchers are recommending caution before jumping to any firm conclusions about causation. That’s why Shuji Ogino, a pathologist and an authority on E. coli and colorectal cancer, underlines this point. He acknowledges that no one study can address every aspect of this multi-layered dilemma.
Important to note, the existing research lacks information on the participants’ BMIs. The omission of these data points may skew interpretations of the relationship between colibactin exposure and the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Ogino, who was not involved in the study, praised the design of the study, calling it “a great design in that regard.” More importantly, he knew that deeper exploration was necessary.
Alexandrov’s team is preparing follow-up studies aimed at determining the ways children may be exposed to colibactin. They’re taking part in studies looking at things like probiotics to see if other interventions can reduce the impact of this bacterial poison.
The Growing Concern Among Younger Populations
Yet rates of colorectal cancer are increasing in people younger than 50. This alarming trend is not an isolated case, as at least 17 other types of cancer are on the rise among younger Americans. These revelations have devastating consequences far beyond colorectal cancer. They pose important questions about how environmental toxins and other lifestyle factors may be playing a role in these shocking numbers.
The research team’s conclusions should serve as a clarion call to action. Public health officials and researchers need to further investigate the environmental causes connected to early-onset cancers. To be able to prevent these trends, we need to understand the mechanisms driving these trends so we can create preventative strategies and interventions focused on protecting future generations.
Leave a Reply