New findings recently published in the journal Nature show that researchers at University Health Network and the University of Toronto have identified silent and ancient DNA elements buried in our genomes, that can initiate a powerful immune response to kill colorectal cancer cells when reactivated.

They also discovered a key enzyme (ADAR1) that human cancer cells use to prevent the immune system response. These new findings can open up “a new field of cancer therapies” according to associate professor Daniel De Carvalho.

Learn more about how these researchers are finding ways to combat the ADAR1 enzyme!