Scientists finally solved how a common gut bacterium triggers colon cancer

Researchers identified that a bacterial toxin linked to colorectal cancer initiates damage by binding to the receptor claudin-4, which grants it access to disrupt the colon's protective epithelial barrier. Based on this mechanism, the team engineered a decoy protein that successfully blocked the toxin and prevented colonic damage in a mouse model. The findings open a potential therapeutic avenue for preventing inflammation-driven colon tumor development.