Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease. In different subsets, the pathogenic mutations are caused by specific patterns of DNA damage resulting from factors such as:
DNA mutations produce abnormal proteins that should be recognized as foreign “neoantigens” by the body’s immune system and trigger tumor cell killing in the same way that invading bacteria and viruses do. Colorectal cancer cells are not seen by the immune system because they have several mechanisms of hiding themselves and because the intestine has a specialized mucosal immune system that is very tolerant to foreign proteins, such as those in our food and intestinal bacteria. |
Our lab in the Experimental Oncology Department at the University of Alberta studies the relationship between DNA instability, the microbiota, and the mucosal immune system in colorectal cancer. We attempt to answer questions such as these:
Want to know more? Interested in joining us? Reach out to us here! |