Molecular Clock Helps Decipher the Origin of Colorectal Cancer

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a novel molecular clock that provides insights into the origin and progression of colorectal cancer. Led by graduate student Mirazul Islam, the team's findings challenge the long-held belief that cancer arises from a single cell.

The study, published in Nature, utilized a CRISPR-based "genetic barcoding" approach to track cellular events at a single-cell resolution. This method offers a more precise alternative to previous techniques that relied on naturally occurring genetic alterations in cancers.

By analyzing one of the largest multi-omic datasets on human sporadic polyps, the researchers discovered that colorectal cancer likely originates from multiple normal cells in the intestinal epithelium. They observed a transition from genetically distinct cells in early precancer stages to genetically identical cells in advanced stages.

Senior author Ken S. Lau emphasized the potential of this approach, stating, "We hope that adding a temporal axis enables a fundamental understanding of tissue development and disease."

This research could lead to improved predictors of cancer progression, moving beyond the current reliance on polyp size. The team is now applying their approach to study regeneration and identify new cell populations with stem cell potential.