On September 24, 2026, MIT biologists and international collaborators published a study identifying how the colorectal cancer pathway is driven by the protein YAP1, enabling tumors to spread. This discovery matters because most colon cancer deaths stem from metastasis, and targeting this mechanism could lead to new preventative treatments for patients diagnosed with the disease.
How does the YAP1 pathway drive metastasis?
The YAP1 protein normally aids in tissue repair and regeneration following gut injury, but colorectal cancer cells hijack this program to promote cell migration and proliferation. Researchers found that high-fat diets trigger the production of fatty molecules called ceramides, which activate the colorectal cancer pathway by removing its molecular brake, allowing the protein to enter the cell nucleus and turn on genes that help tumor cells spread to the liver.
Can this pathway be targeted with drugs?
Experiments in mouse models showed that genetically targeting YAP1 or the enzymes responsible for ceramide production markedly reduced the spread of colorectal cancer to the liver. Scientists are now planning to develop drugs that inhibit ceramide-producing enzymes such as DEGS1 and DEGS2 to block the colorectal cancer pathway. However, researchers caution that these findings do not yet translate into dietary advice for diagnosed patients, as ceramides also play essential roles in healthy tissues.
