MIT researchers identify mechanism that drives colon cancer spread

October 3, 2026 at 04:13 PM2 min

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MIT researchers have identified a cellular mechanism that colon cancer cells use to spread to other organs. The mechanism involves the protein YAP1, which cancer cells hijack from normal tissue repair processes. High-fat diets may activate this pathway by increasing ceramide molecules.

Key Facts

The study was conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.
The protein YAP1 plays a key role in enabling colon cancer cells to spread to other organs.
High-fat diets increased production of ceramide molecules in mice, which activated YAP1 and promoted cancer spread.
Targeting YAP1 or genes involved in ceramide production significantly reduced colon cancer spread to the liver in mice.
Researchers plan to develop drugs targeting the enzymes DEGS1 and DEGS2, which are involved in ceramide production.

Mechanism of Spread

Colon cancer cells exploit a cellular program normally used for repairing damaged tissues to leave the primary tumor and spread to other organs. The protein YAP1, which is active during tissue development and regeneration, is reactivated by colon cancer cells to enhance their metastatic ability. Researchers found that genes controlled by YAP1 were more active in cancer cells that had spread to other organs in various colon cancer models.

Dietary Link

High-fat diets increased production of ceramide molecules in mice, which disabled the mechanism that normally keeps YAP1 suppressed. This allowed YAP1 to enter the cell nucleus and activate genes that promote cancer spread. Targeting YAP1 or genes involved in ceramide production significantly reduced colon cancer metastasis to the liver in mice.

Therapeutic Potential

Researchers believe the findings could lead to new treatments to prevent colon cancer from spreading. They plan to develop drugs targeting the enzymes DEGS1 and DEGS2, which are involved in ceramide production. Because ceramides also have important functions in healthy tissues, future therapies must specifically target the mechanism in cancer cells. The researchers emphasize that the study does not yet provide dietary recommendations for patients, as findings are based on cellular models and mouse experiments.