25 May 2004
Funding boost for colon cancer
The study of colon cancer at the University of Dundee has just received a major boost of £1.2 million from
Cancer Research UK Scotland to research how mutations start cancer tumours.
Latest figures show that colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the western world.
In the UK there are over 21,000 people diagnosed with the disease each year and over 10,000 people die of
colon cancer each year. While in Scotland, over 2,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer each year and
almost 1,000 people die annually of the disease. This is despite the fact that it can be cured if detected
early.
Dr Inke Näthke, a Principal Investigator in the Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, in the School of
Life Sciences has received a five year programme grant and renewal of her Senior Fellowship from Cancer
Research UK Scotland to investigate the function of the APC gene to understand how mutations start the
formation of colon cancer tumours.
Mutations in a single gene, Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC), are responsible for some people being at risk
of certain forms of inherited colon cancer; but, importantly, they are common to most non-inherited colonic
tumours and these mutations occur early in the disease.
Dr Näthke said "Mutations in the APC gene lead to defects in a number of cellular processes that are
important for normal maintenance of tissue in the colon.
My research team aims to understand the role of APC in how cells move, divide and differentiate. One of our
goals is to use a range of experimental approaches to determine the relationship between the different
functions of APC.
Understanding the changes in the colon that result from APC mutations will enable us to identify the
function(s) of APC that are important to restore when lost due to mutation and this will ultimately lead to
improved clinical treatments for patients."
The Cancer Research UK Scotland funding will provide research equipment and the salaries for four members of
staff.
Dr Lesley Walker, Director of Cancer Information, Cancer Research UK said: "All too often, bowel cancer is
caught too late for treatment to be effective. We are delighted to be funding Dr Nathke's research into the
underlying causes of this increasingly common form of cancer. Her findings should open doors to scientists
researching new ways to prevent and treat the disease."
Dr Näthke is a member of the Cancer Research UK Co-operative Centre at the University of Dundee. Established
in 2001, the Co-operative is a unique collaboration involving clinical and basic cancer research groups in
Dundee to enhance scientific collaboration and exchange of information to help bridge the gap between bench
and bedside.
Contact Dr Inke Nathke on 01382 345821
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk | 
