SINGAPORE scientists have discovered a genetic clue that could prevent the growth and development of colorectal cancer, the leading cause of cancer death here.

Led by Professor Yoshiaki Ito, the team found that when a gene, RUNX3, is disrupted, colorectal cancer can occur. RUNX3 is a gatekeeper gene which suppresses abnormal cell growth.

'For the first time, we found that inactivated RUNX3 occurs at the early stage of the cancer and is relatively easy to detect. This is significant as it is possible to reactivate the gene to slow down the cancerous growth,' said Prof Ito, a professor in medical oncology at the National University of Singapore's Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, at a media conference yesterday.

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