Exploring Gender-Specific Genes and Subtypes in Colon Cancer

Scientists in China took a deep dive into the genes of over 6, 500 tissue samples from people with advanced colon cancer. Their goal? To find genes that drive this disease differently in various groups. By looking at 425 cancer-related genes, they discovered 101 potential drivers, with 36 being new to the colon cancer scene. Surprisingly, some of these genes were picky, affecting only specific groups. For example, the ERBB4 gene was a big deal for men but not so much for women. This finding was backed up by another large study from the US. Additionally, the team found different subtypes of colon cancer based on their genetic makeup. They divided microsatellite stable (MSS) and unstable (MSI) cancers into six and three main types, respectively. Each type had its unique traits and outcomes. For MSS cancers, cluster 5 and cluster 2 were the most common, with cluster 5 showing better survival rates than cluster 2. This diversity in gene mutations highlights how complex colon cancer is and points to the need for personalized treatments.