Researchers at the University of California, Irvine are studying how the clock affects metabolism and cancer progression. Their research shows how disruption of the clock can have a negative effect on the genome.
Science Advances published a study titled, "Disruption of the Circadian Clock drives APC Loss of Heterozygosity to Accelerate Colorectal Cancer."
The majority of human colorectal cancer is caused by the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor, which is found in the vast majority of humans. Approximately 80 percent of humanCRC cases have at least one of the following:APC point, deletions, or loss of Heterozygosity.
"As a society, we are exposed to several environmental factors that influence our biological clock, including night shift work, extended light exposure, changes in sleep/wake cycles and altered feeding behavior," said Masri. Several young-onset cancers, including colorectal cancer, have increased in number. The cause of the increased incidence of cancer in adults in their 20s and 30s is still unknown. We now believe that the disruption of the clock is an important factor.
There has been an increase in colorectal cancer among young people. A steady rise has been seen in the number of people younger than 50 who have been diagnosed with the disease. Environmental factors such as lifestyle and diet are thought to affect the clock.
Second hits in key oncogenic pathways, including Kras, Braf, p53, and Smad4, are associated with progression to adenocarcinoma. The findings show that the disruption of the clock is a factor in the development of colorectal cancer.
The clock's internal rhythm governs many processes. The research in the Masri Lab focuses on how the disruption of the clock affects the development and progression of cancer. The researchers in the Masri Lab are trying to figure out how the clock affects cancer.
More information: Sung Kook Chun et al, Disruption of the circadian clock drives Apc loss of heterozygosity to accelerate colorectal cancer, Science Advances (2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo2389
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