Researchers Identify Colibactin Toxin Link to Rising Youth Colon Cancer Rates

Recent scientific studies have identified a bacterial toxin called colibactin, produced by certain strains of E. coli, as a possible significant contributor to the rising rates of colorectal (bowel) cancer among young people globally. Research led by the University of California San Diego found that colibactin leaves a distinctive DNA mutation signature in colon cells, which is three times more common in young patients than older ones, and the damage often occurs within the first decade of life. This suggests that early-life exposure to colibactin-producing E. coli may play a key role in the development of early-onset colorectal cancer, challenging the notion that the disease is primarily influenced by adult lifestyle factors. The studies indicate that while diet and lifestyle may still contribute, bacterial exposure may set the stage for cancer much earlier than previously thought. These findings underscore the importance of further research on early-life bacterial exposures to help prevent and address the increasing incidence of young-onset colorectal cancer.