In January 2026, researchers at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute in Glasgow published findings regarding a potential method to suppress the growth of bowel and liver cancers. The discovery centers on the observation of elevated levels of the protein nucleophosmin (NPM1) in both cancer types. This elevation is associated with genetic errors that affect the body’s WNT pathway, a cellular signaling system involved in regulating cell growth.
Key Findings
- By removing or pharmacologically blocking NPM1, researchers observed that cancer cells exhibited difficulty in correctly producing necessary proteins. This cellular disruption activates a tumor suppressor protein, which subsequently halts the cancer’s growth progression.
- The research suggests that blocking NPM1 offers a potentially safe and effective treatment approach. This is because NPM1 was found not to be essential for the general health of normal adult tissues, allowing for the selective targeting of malignant cells while sparing healthy organs.
- While the initial focus was on liver and bowel cancers, the research team hypothesizes that this methodology could be relevant to other tumors driven by similar WNT-related genetic errors.
Biological Mechanism of the Discovery
The research identifies a specific “bottleneck” in cancer cell production that may be leveraged for therapeutic applications. Mutations in the WNT pathway, specifically the loss of the APC gene, are common in colorectal and liver malignancies. These mutations are reported to hijack normal cellular messaging to force uncontrolled cell proliferation.
The study established that these genetic errors correlate with abnormally high concentrations of the NPM1 protein. While NPM1 is a known target in certain blood cancers (such as leukemia), its role in these solid tumors was previously not fully understood. When NPM1 is blocked or removed, the cancer cells enter a state of “ribosome pausing,” which means the cellular machinery responsible for building proteins becomes stalled. This state of stress is reported to activate p53, a powerful, natural tumor suppressor that compels the cancer cells to cease growth.
Researchers discover new treatments to prevent growth of two cancers https://t.co/eedWvMWP0V pic.twitter.com/RXeXdMKN0Z
— The Independent (@Independent) January 19, 2026
Therapeutic Prospects and Safety Data
The promising aspect of this discovery lies in its potential for selective targeting. Researchers reported that NPM1 is not critical for the sustained health of normal, adult tissues. In animal model studies, the removal of the protein successfully stopped tumor growth without causing significant adverse effects to healthy organs. The study specifically documented success in suppressing KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer, a form of the disease frequently noted for its resistance to current available therapies.
Scientists discover potential new cancer treatment
Next Steps for Research and Development
The team, led by Professor Owen Sansom, is now moving toward pharmaceutical development. The stated primary objective is to identify or create medical compounds that can safely and effectively block the production of NPM1 in human patients. Researchers indicate that this strategy may eventually be expanded to address other “WNT-driven” cancers beyond the liver and bowel.
Sources
- Scientists discover potential new treatment to tackle cancer – BBC News.
- Scientists make bowel and liver cancer treatment breakthrough | The Independent
- Researchers discover new treatments to prevent growth of two cancers
