Study Links Common Weed Killer to Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Through Epigenetic Changes
A recent study conducted by the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology has identified a potential link between the use of a common weed killer, picloram, and early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) in individuals under 50. The research, published in Nature Medicine, highlights the role of the exposome, which includes environmental and lifestyle exposures, in influencing cancer development through epigenetic changes. The study analyzed DNA methylation patterns, which are chemical modifications that can regulate gene expression without altering the DNA sequence itself. Researchers found significant differences in these patterns between early-onset and late-onset colorectal cancer cases, particularly in relation to diet, smoking, and pesticide exposure. The study suggests that exposure to picloram, a herbicide used since the 1960s, may be associated with an increased risk of EOCRC.