What is Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma (SRCC)?
- Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma (SRCC) is a rare and aggressive subtype of colorectal cancer (CRC) that originates in the colon or rectum.
- It is named for the signet ring-like appearance of its cells under a microscope, caused by mucus pushing the nucleus to one side.
- SRCC is known for its rapid spread, resistance to conventional therapies, and late-stage diagnosis, making it one of the deadliest colon cancer variants.
What Are the Innovative Methods Introduced?
- The researchers developed Patient-Derived Organoids (PDOs) and Patient-Derived Xenografts (PDXs):
- PDOs are miniature 3D tumour models grown from human cancer tissues in lab dishes.
- PDXs involve implanting human tumour cells into mice, enabling the tumour to grow in a living system.
- These lab-grown models closely mimic the molecular behaviour of actual human SRCC tumours.
- This method forms one of the first living biobanks of SRCC models, enabling researchers to study the disease more precisely and test treatments in a controlled environment.
- A major difficulty in treating SRCC is its tendency to spread to the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity, which worsens the prognosis and reduces treatment effectiveness.
- While SRCC makes up only 1% of all CRC cases globally, in India, it affects a disproportionately larger number of patients — nearly 10 times more, often in younger individuals.
