Low Oxygen Levels in Colon Cancer Tumors May Fuel Their Growth

To combat cancer successfully, scientists need to examine the battleground closely. In a new research paper published in Nature Communications A collaborative research group from multiple institutions, which includes The University of Osaka, has uncovered significant information indicating that low levels of oxygen in specific areas within the colon cancer environment may accelerate tumor development.

Up until recently, it was believed that depriving tumours of oxygen—known as hypoxia—would inhibit their development. As such, medications designed to cut off the oxygen supply to tumours were employed for treating various types of cancer. Nonetheless, these therapies yielded inconsistent outcomes; occasionally, they led to increased tumour expansion instead. Unravelling the reasons behind this phenomenon has now turned into a critical issue within oncology studies.

We discovered an unexpected way in which low oxygen levels might enhance tumor development, and this process includes the creation of specialized cells known as inflammatory fibroblasts.

Akikazu Harada, who led the study

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