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Cancer Research Braking Tumor Growth in Colon Cancer by Natural Perfume
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Germany. Bochum researchers are now hoping for a new approach to the treatment of intestinal cancer. The scientists have found that the growth of colon cancer cells can be slowed down with a particular fragrance.
Second most common cancer in Germany
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Germany, in which more than six percent of all Germans suffer during their lifetime. The chances of recovery depend heavily on how early the cancer is discovered. In affected individuals, the tumor is usually surgically removed and they receive chemotherapy. German researchers are now hoping for a new approach to intestinal cancer therapy.
German scientists have found that the growth of colon cancer cells can be slowed down with the fragrance Troenan. This smells of privet, a shrub plant that is often used as a hedge. (Image: johnmerlin / fotolia.com) New targets in colon cancer cells
As tumors grow slowly in the large intestine or rectum and cause no problems for the majority of those affected for a long time, the disease is often recognized late.
Experts point repeatedly to the importance of the check-up, especially if it has come in the family already colon cancer cases. Early detection can save lives.
Smell researchers from the Ruhr University Bochum now report that they have discovered new targets in colon cancer cells.
Growth of cancer cells can be slowed down with perfume
According to the scientists around Prof. dr. Dr. Dr. habil. Hanns Hatt and dr. Lea Weber from the Ruhr University Bochum slows the growth of colon cancer cells with the fragrance Troenan.
As the researchers in the journal "PLOS ONE" reported, they discovered in tumor cells from the rectum the olfactory receptor OR51B4 and analyzed which fragrance activates the receptor and how the activation affects the cells.
The team from the Bochum Department of Cell Physiology cooperated for the study with the Department of Molecular Gastroenterological Oncology of the Ruhr University, which Prof. Dr. med. Stephan Hahn leads. The necessary gene sequencing was carried out by the team from the Cologne Center for Genomics.
An obstacle to the formation of metastases
According to a communication from the university, olfactory receptors have already been detected in various healthy tissues and cancerous tissues.
The Bochum researchers have now found the receptor OR51B4 in large quantities in colon cancer cells. They identified the molecule Troenan as an activator for OR51B4. It smells of privet, a shrub plant that is often used as a hedge.
The scientists treated HCT116 cell line cancer cells and tumor tissue samples from patients with troenan. It showed that the cells did not grow as fast and moved slower than before - an obstacle to the formation of metastases.
In addition, the use of troenan treatment increasingly killed cancer cells. In further experiments with mice, which formed the human tumor, the odor effects could be confirmed in the meantime.
Healing chances depend crucially on the disease stage
"Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Germany, in which more than six percent of all Germans suffer in the course of their lives," writes the university in its press release.
The material used in the present study was reported to be colorectal tumors, which account for 95 percent of malignant colon tumors and are the leading cause of colorectal cancer deaths.
According to the experts, the chances of recovery when doctors surgically remove such a tumor are 50 percent. They depend crucially on the stage of the disease in which the colon cancer is discovered. There is no targeted pharmacological treatment, only general chemotherapy.
"We expect that our results could enable a new approach to gut cancer therapy," said Hanns Hatt. The tumors are often accessible from the inner cavity of the intestine.
"Therefore, it is conceivable that an oral or rectal intake would bring the fragrance Troenan in the effective concentrations directly to the tumor. However, clinical trials with patients are still needed, "said Hatt. (Ad)