Study: Genetic Differences Found in Left-Side, Right-Side Colon Cancer

Significant genetic differences exist between cancer found on the right and left side of the colon and these distinctions should be considered possible difference approaches to treatment, according to Danish researchers.

"This discovery may explain why some colorectal patients have responded to treatment while others did not," Dr. Torben Orntoft, a professor at Aarhus University, told the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

In their study, the researchers compared gene activity in 20 samples of normal colonic mucosa to 25 cancerous samples from both the left and right sides of the colon.

They found 58 genes from cancer on the left side of the colon that were different than genes from the normal samples, and 118 genes from cancer on the right side of the colon that were different. And 44 of the genes from the left side cancer were different than the genes from the sample taken on the right side.

"With emerging treatments directed toward specific molecular targets, there should be special emphasis on such an important differentiation," said Sanne Olesen of Aarhus University Hospital. "Hopefully with this new understanding of the differences that exist in the colon, we can more efficiently treat cancer patients."

Other sources: American Association for Cancer Research