A combination of anti-delta-like 4 ligand and irinotecan significantly reduced colon cancer stem cells and increased tumor cell apoptosis in mutant KRAS tumors, according to a study published in Cancer Research.
Researchers studied KRAS mutant tumors in early passage colon tumor xenograft models from patients. They found that while the tumors did not respond to the epidermal growth factor receptor therapeutic antibody cetuximab, they were affected by anti-DLL4. The combination of anti-DLL4 and irinotecan decreased colon cancer stem cell frequency and promoted apoptosis in the tumor cells.
The researchers suggest targeting DLL4-Notch signaling to treat colorectal cancer patients with KRAS mutations.
Read the Cancer Research abstract.
Read more coverage on colon cancer research:
- Adenoma Detection Rate Associated With Risk of CRC
- Study: Method for Predicting Colon Cancer in Mice May Lead to Replacement for Colonoscopies
- University Hospitals-Case Western: Lack of Sleep Heightens Risk of CRC
Researchers studied KRAS mutant tumors in early passage colon tumor xenograft models from patients. They found that while the tumors did not respond to the epidermal growth factor receptor therapeutic antibody cetuximab, they were affected by anti-DLL4. The combination of anti-DLL4 and irinotecan decreased colon cancer stem cell frequency and promoted apoptosis in the tumor cells.
The researchers suggest targeting DLL4-Notch signaling to treat colorectal cancer patients with KRAS mutations.
Read the Cancer Research abstract.
Read more coverage on colon cancer research:
- Adenoma Detection Rate Associated With Risk of CRC
- Study: Method for Predicting Colon Cancer in Mice May Lead to Replacement for Colonoscopies
- University Hospitals-Case Western: Lack of Sleep Heightens Risk of CRC