Targeting Stem-Like Cells in Colorectal Cancer
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Colorectal cancer often returns not because the main tumor survives, but because a small population of stem-like cancer cells can resist treatment, seed new growth, and drive aggressive spread. This study identifies BEX2 as an important suppressor of those dangerous traits. When BEX2 levels were high, colorectal cancer cells showed weaker stemness, reduced tumor-forming ability, lower drug resistance, and less invasive behavior. Mechanistically, the researchers found that BEX2 destabilizes MCL1,