Discovered Colon Cancer Suppressive Substance Secreted by Gut Microbiota

Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology

Cancer cells / Photo by Asia Economy DB

Schematic Diagram of Colon Cancer Cell Apoptosis Induced by the Gut Microbial Metabolite Propionate
Propionate promotes the degradation of EHMT2, one of the therapeutic targets for colon cancer, resulting in the induction of apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Image provided by Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Domestic researchers have, for the first time, revealed that substances produced by human gut microbiota suppress colorectal cancer, signaling a green light for drug development.

The joint research team at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology announced on the 10th that they confirmed gut microbiota-derived substances promote the degradation of proteins that play a crucial role in colorectal cancer growth, thereby inducing cell death. This discovery is expected to significantly contribute to the future development of microbiome-based colorectal cancer therapies.

The microbiome refers to the microorganisms and their genetic information present in a specific environment. Recently, as causal relationships between the human microbiome and diseases have been uncovered worldwide, related research has been actively progressing. In particular, the gut microbiome is reported to be a cause not only of intestinal diseases such as colorectal cancer but also of various conditions including obesity, diabetes, atopic dermatitis, depression, and aging, making it a potential game changer in new drug development.

The incidence rate of colorectal cancer among Koreans is the highest in the world, and the increase in incidence is notably linked to Westernized dietary habits. Colorectal cancer treatment involves surgical treatment, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, with adjuvant chemotherapy administered to reduce the risk of recurrence. Due to numerous side effects and low efficacy associated with chemotherapy, many patients suffer, leading to growing demand for new conceptual anticancer therapies.

Although extensive research on the microbiome and colorectal cancer has been conducted based on recent findings of differences in gut microbiome composition between colorectal cancer patients and healthy individuals, studies on the mechanisms by which the microbiome suppresses colorectal cancer growth have been insufficient. The research team discovered that propionate, a gut microbial metabolite, promotes the degradation of the enzyme protein EHMT2 (Euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2), a therapeutic target in colorectal cancer, and induces colorectal cancer cell death. They also demonstrated through a 3D spheroid culture model that using an EHMT2 inhibitor together with propionate can more effectively induce colorectal cancer cell death.

Research team leader Hyun-Soo Cho stated, “We have presented a new role for the beneficial human microbiome in colorectal cancer treatment through the microbiome’s colorectal cancer suppression mechanism,” adding, “This will greatly contribute to the development of next-generation colorectal cancer therapies based on the microbiome in the future.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.