Cellular Time Travel Underlies Colon Cancer

In 10 seconds? Scientists have found that when colon cells shift back to an immature state, they set the stage for cancer. Researchers believe this phenomenon occurs in the majority of colon cancers and could help inform future cancer treatments.

What do you mean by ‘immature state’? Good question! The cells in our colon usually follow a linear progression throughout their lives. After emerging from stem cells in the nooks and crannies of our colon (an immature state), they take on new features and abilities that allow them to become fully functional colon cells (mature state). With time, they continue to age, die and are replaced by other cells following a similar progression.