“Good genes” prevent tumor formation – healing practice

How Genetics Affect Cancer Risk

Many know the story: “My grandmother has smoked all her life and is still 90 years old”. Indeed, there are clear individual genetic differences that affect the effects of cancerous mutations. A German research team has shown that certain genes help determine whether a mutation leads to cancer or not.

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have discovered a large number of genes that help determine whether a cancer mutation actually leads to cancer or whether the person remains healthy despite potential cancer. Part of the cancer risk depends on genes, according to the study. The working group recently published the results in the journal Cancer Research.

Genetics help determine cancer risk

Sometimes it seems unfair in individual cases. There are people who appear to have chain smoked all their lives without complaining and remain healthy – others pay attention to their health and diet, but continue to get cancer. It is not just a coincidence. Because, as the current study team shows, there are some genes that keep cancer mutations in check.

At the beginning of each tumor there is a mutation

Every cancer begins with a mutation triggered by toxins, viruses or radiation, or a random copy error when genetic material is duplicated. If mutations cause DNA to change in the genes that regulate cell growth and division, the process can get out of control and cancerous growths – tumors – develop.

Some genes keep mutations in check

According to the study, whether a mutation ultimately causes cancer largely depends on the combination of genes in the body. As the researchers report, there are some genetic variants that can cushion the damaging effect of a tumor mutation. The team looked at several genetic variants of the mice and compared them with cancer risk. Many of the genes examined also control cell division and growth in humans.

Some genetic variants appear to prevent colon cancer

The researchers identified 58 genes that are read at different levels in the strains of mice studied. There were some gene variants that (if any) prevented the mice from developing cancer despite the mutations that cause the tumor. In mice that did not have these genetic variants, however, the growths occurred more frequently. This was particularly the case with mutations, which are responsible for around 80% of all colon cancer cases in humans.

Hereditary protection against cancer

This was also confirmed in a human test. A genetic analysis of people with colon cancer showed that the genetic variants that saved mice from developing colon cancer were underrepresented. In addition, the researchers found in mice that variants of the protective gene, which according to the study are mainly on chromosome 5, are passed on to children. “The sections of the chromosome that statistically significantly reduce cancer risk extend to the entire chromosome,” explains Matthias Lienhard, one of the first authors of the study.

How do genes protect against cancer?

Exactly how the genetic variants protect against cancer development is not yet clear in detail. “They had a particular effect on stem cells in the gut by weakening the growth-promoting effect of the APC mutation,” explains Dr. Markus Morkel, who together with Professor Dr. Bernhard Herrmann leads the study. Presumably, the genetic variant also leads to the degenerated stem cells being rejected by the tissue at an early stage, so that no growths occur in the first place.

The identification of these genetic variants could play a crucial role in future cancer prevention and treatment. For example, genetic analysis can be used to predict an individual’s risk of certain types of cancer. (vb)