CD Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Chemoprevention

Research is being carried out to gain a better understanding of the prevention of colon cancer using certain natural and pharmaceutical substances. To this end, the molecular processes of these substances on the development of cancer are being investigated and new, more effective substances are being developed and tested.

Substances such as aspirin and mesalazine are structural variants of salicylic acid. The plant-based colouring and spice curcumin, on the other hand, is derived from phenolic acid. All three substances have one thing in common: they have been proven to protect against the development of bowel cancer. This process, known as chemoprevention, is analysed in more detail here.

Of particular interest is how these three structurally similar substances can influence different processes of cell division. For example, aspirin acts on a phase in the process of cell development and division known as the G1 phase, while mesalazine acts on the phase known as the S phase. Both phases are based on very different molecular processes that are influenced by these substances.

How this influence on molecular processes takes place is being researched in detail. In addition to curcumin, the effects of thymoquinone (black cumin oil), ginkgo, green tea, quercetin and luteolin are also being tested. Furthermore, the medicinal influence of conventional iron salts on the development of cancer is being investigated in animal models and compared with alternative iron preparations.

The knowledge gained will help to specifically influence the prevention and development of bowel cancer at a molecular level. Novel substances are also being produced precisely for this purpose. These new substances are then characterised in more detail and tested for their effectiveness and toxicity in animal models.

Biomarkers are also being developed to evaluate these preparations for the prevention of bowel cancer. These are molecules that can be easily detected in tissue or blood and whose occurrence is directly linked to the development of bowel cancer. Biopsy material from human intestinal tissue is used for this purpose. Once such markers have been found and confirmed, it will be easier to test the effectiveness of new chemopreventive substances in humans.

Overall, the research work contributes to a better understanding and more comprehensive benefit of chemoprevention of colorectal cancer.