Shock study: Colibactin drastically increases the risk of cancer in young people!

Shock study: Colibactin drastically increases the risk of cancer in young people!

A recent study from the University of California, San Diego, highlights an alarming link between the bacterial toxin colibactin and an increased risk of colon cancer in young people. The study, published on April 30, 2025, analyzed tissue samples from around 1,000 colon cancer patients from four continents. The results show that the majority of patients have genetic mutation patterns suggestive of previous exposure to colibactin ( vol.at ).

In particular, patients under 40 years of age had a three to five times higher risk of such mutations than older patients over 70 years of age. This suggests that exposure to colibactin often occurs in early childhood, often within the first ten years of life. Experts consider colibactin to be a potential risk factor, even if direct causal evidence is still missing.

The role of Escherichia coli

Colibactin is produced by certain strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and related intestinal bacteria. These strains are known to cause genotoxic effects in the human body. The structure and molecular mechanism of colibactin have been known for over a decade without being fully elucidated. A recent study used untargeted DNA adductomics to examine the effects of colibactin and discovered evidence of specific DNA alkylation associated with the development of colorectal cancer ( pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ).

The composition of the microbial community in the intestine as well as environmental factors such as the type of birth, breastfeeding behavior, the use of antibiotics in childhood and dietary habits also play a significant role in bacterial activity and thus in the risk of cancer. For example, geographical differences show that colibactin mutations occur less frequently in rural regions of Africa and Asia.

Long-term perspectives and preventive measures

Researchers are already working on long-term goals to develop preventive measures and targeted drugs against colibactin. This is particularly important because interventions in the microbiome could potentially have unintended consequences. Understanding how colibactin causes DNA damage and its role in carcinogenesis is crucial for future treatment and prevention strategies ( nature.com ).

In summary, the link between colibactin and colon cancer is alarming, particularly for younger people. There is an urgent need for further research to understand the precise mechanisms and influencing factors that lead to this risk. The results of the study could have important implications for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.