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Updated: May 7, 2026

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
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Targeting NUDT21-mediated alternative polyadenylation of oncogenes ameliorates colorectal cancer malignancy and

Shih-Chieh Lin1,2,3, Ya-Chuan Tsai4, Jui-Lin Wang5

  • 1Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC. Jaylin@mail.ncku.edu.tw.

British Journal of Cancer
|May 5, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Nucleoside diphosphate linked moiety X hydrolases-type motif 21 (NUDT21) drives colorectal cancer progression by promoting oncogene expression. Targeting NUDT21 shows therapeutic potential for treating this deadly disease.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health concern.
  • Lack of early detection markers and targeted therapies contributes to CRC malignancy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of NUDT21 in colorectal cancer metastasis.
  • To explore NUDT21 as a potential therapeutic target for CRC.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic bioinformatic analysis to identify key genes in CRC.
  • In vitro and in vivo loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments.
  • RNA-sequencing and RIP-sequencing to elucidate NUDT21 mechanisms.
  • Evaluation of repurposed drugs targeting NUDT21 in preclinical models.

Main Results:

  • NUDT21 is overexpressed in malignant polyps and CRC tissues (human and mouse).
  • High NUDT21 levels correlate with poor patient prognosis.
  • NUDT21 knockdown inhibits CRC cell growth, anchorage-independent growth, and cancer stemness.
  • NUDT21 binds to alternative polyadenylation sites of oncogenes, enhancing their expression and promoting CRC progression.
  • Repurposed drugs targeting NUDT21 demonstrate therapeutic efficacy in various CRC models.

Conclusions:

  • NUDT21 is a key regulator of colon cancer progression.
  • NUDT21 represents a promising therapeutic target for colorectal cancer treatment.

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