Detecting cancer warning signs before birth

Researchers at the Van Andel Institute have discovered that cancer risk can be determined even in the womb due to the formation of specific epigenetic genes during early development.

A person's risk of developing cancer may be determined before they are born - Photo: SCI TECH DAILY

A groundbreaking study by scientists at the Van Andel Institute suggests that a person's risk of developing cancer may be set before they're born, according to Sci Tech Daily.

Recognize early signs of cancer

Published in the journal Nature Cancer , the study identifies two distinct epigenetic genes that appear early in development and are associated with lifetime cancer risk. One state is associated with a lower risk of cancer, while the other is associated with a higher risk.

If cancer occurs in people in lower risk groups, they tend to have leukemia. Conversely, people in higher risk groups are more likely to have solid cancers such as lung or prostate cancer.

"Because most cancers occur later in life and are often thought of as diseases of genetic mutations, there has been little insight into how development might influence cancer risk. Our findings change that," said J. Andrew Pospisilik, PhD, chair of epigenetics at the Van Andel Institute and co-author of the study.

The role of epigenetics in cancer development

The risk of cancer increases with age due to the accumulation of DNA damage and other factors. However, not all abnormal cells develop into cancer. In recent years, scientists have discovered that epigenetic errors also contribute to cancer.

“Everyone has some level of cancer risk, but when cancer occurs, we often just think of it as ‘bad luck,’” said Dr. Ilaria Panzeri, a scientist in the Pospisilik lab and lead author of the study.

"However, bad luck cannot fully explain why some people get cancer and others do not. More importantly, bad luck cannot be a therapeutic target, but epigenetics can.

Our findings suggest that the origins of cancer may be established early in development, opening up a new approach to studying the disease and potentially leading to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches,” she said.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phat-hien-dau-hieu-canh-bao-ung-thu-tu-truoc-khi-chao-doi-20250213220419773.htm