Embryonic Development Mechanism Identified as Factor in Aggressiveness of Colorectal Cancer

Recent research has uncovered how a fundamental mechanism in embryonic development influences the progression and aggressiveness of colorectal cancer. Scientists from Linköping University in Sweden have demonstrated that a protein involved in forming limbs, the heart, and other organs—TBX3—interacts with the Wnt signaling pathway, which is crucial during embryo development. This same interaction is hijacked by cancer cells to promote tumor growth and metastasis.

The study reveals that in normal embryonic development, Wnt and TBX3 work together to regulate organ formation. However, in colorectal cancer, this partnership is exploited to activate genes that make cancer cells more likely to spread throughout the body. Wnt signaling is overactive in most colorectal cases, resulting in uncontrolled cell division, closely mirroring processes in embryogenesis.

One of the core challenges in targeting Wnt in cancer therapy lies in its vital role in normal cell maintenance, such as the renewal of intestinal cells and blood cells. Blocking Wnt could, therefore, harm healthy stem cells, leading to severe side effects. The discovery of TBX3's specific role in cancer cells opens new therapeutic possibilities, as inhibiting TBX3 might suppress tumor spread without damaging normal stem cell functions.

Furthermore, TBX3's conserved role across vertebrates underlines its importance in development and disease. The researchers pointed out that mutations in the TBX3 gene can cause developmental defects, yet in cancer, its activation supports metastasis. The insights from this study suggest potential strategies to interfere with the TBX3-Wnt interaction, reducing the risk of metastasis and improving treatment outcomes.

This groundbreaking research was conducted through an international collaboration between scientists in Sweden, Japan, Russia, and Switzerland, and it has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. These findings provide a critical step toward therapies that could hinder cancer progression by targeting specific molecular mechanisms shared with embryonic development, possibly leading to more effective and less harmful treatments.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-key-mechanism-embryonic-colorectal-cancer.html