New study Why overweight can cause colon cancer

New risk factor for tumor growth decoded

In Germany, colorectal cancer is the second most common tumor in women and the third most common cancer in men. If one compares the number of new cases in Germany with other countries, the international comparison shows that we occupy one of the top positions in this country. Cologne researchers have been able to assign a fundamental role for the development of colorectal cancer to nutritional and living habits. According to the study results, there is a clear correlation between obesity and tumor growth.

Overweight people are at an increased risk of colon cancer. This was determined by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research in Cologne as part of a student research project. The researchers identified detailed relationships between the presence of obesity and an increased colorectal cancer risk. These basics can serve as potential targets for new therapies. The study results were recently published in the renowned journal "Nature Communications".

German scientists from the Max Planck Institute decipher the links between colon cancer and obesity. According to the results of the study, overweight causes the body to be in constant stress, which promotes inflammatory reactions that result in a reduced fight against cancer cells. (Image: Kurhan / fotolia.com)

How is it related??

"If the body has to store more and more excess fat, a stress reaction will develop in adipose tissue," explains study leader Dr. med. Thomas Wunderlich in a press release on the study results. This stress reaction alerts the body's own immune system, which in turn can cause inflammation in adipose tissue.

Obesity puts the body in constant stress

As the expert reports, persistent obesity and obesity put the body in a state of permanent stress. The resulting inflammation could spread through the blood throughout the body. In the end, this leads to changes in the immune system. "Cancer cells are no longer fought, but promote their survival and so does tumor growth," summarizes Wunderlich.

Just because someone is fat, you do not automatically get cancer

"Just because you're fat makes you sick of cancer for a long time," says the first author of the study. Claudia Wunderlich. But if, as a result of the overweight degenerate cells form in the body, this promotes tumor growth.

New targets for therapies

In addition to the identified relationships, the results also provide new approaches for future therapies. "Using mouse models, we were able to work out specific targets for possible therapeutic approaches in humans," sums up the expert. In the overweight mice, the researchers were able to successfully reduce the risk of disease.

In overweight mice already tested

The research team eliminated a specific population of immune cells in experiments on genetically modified mice. In addition, the altered genetics of the animals prevented changes in the immune system from taking place in high-fat diets. Both methods led to a decrease in inflammation and an increase in the control of degenerate cells, which ultimately also reduced the development of colon cancer. (Vb)