EurekAlert! In the Spotlight - Infectious Diseases

Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

This month, we’re focusing on infectious diseases, a topic that affects lives and communities around the world. Here, you’ll find the latest research news, insights, and discoveries shaping how infectious diseases are being studied, prevented, and treated globally.

Latest News Releases

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 24-Oct-2026 10:15 ET (24-Oct-2026 14:15 GMT/UTC)

25-Sep-2026

Metastatic colorectal cancer is more advanced in younger patients than older ones, but they survive longer with the disease, study finds

American College of Surgeons
Reports and Proceedings

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) continues to increase in patients aged 45 years or younger, and their longer survival and different disease patterns compared with older patients may warrant more aggressive scrutiny of gastrointestinal symptoms, according to new study findings.

Meeting: American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2026

25-Sep-2026

Appendectomy for appendicitis associated with 58% lower colorectal cancer risk than antibiotics alone

American College of Surgeons
Reports and Proceedings

Patients who underwent an appendectomy for acute appendicitis had a significantly lower subsequent risk of colorectal cancer than similar patients treated with antibiotics alone, according to new research.

Meeting: American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2026

25-Sep-2026

Casting a light on elusive cancer biomarkers

Osaka Metropolitan University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers have developed a laser-assisted method that rapidly detects tiny amounts of CEACAM-5, a colorectal cancer biomarker, in blood. The technique enhances antibody–antigen interactions and achieves detection even at low concentrations within minutes. The researchers also identified nanoscale CEACAM-5 aggregates that may enhance the method’s sensitivity.

Journal: Nanoscale Horizons
Funder: Japan Science and Technology Agency, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Osaka Metropolitan University Strategic Research Promotion Project, Key Project Grant Program, Osaka Prefecture University

24-Sep-2026

Biologists identify a cellular pathway that allows colorectal cancer to metastasize

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Peer-Reviewed Publication

MIT biologists found that a high-fat diet drives colon cancer cells to switch on YAP1, a regenerative program required for the cancer to spread to the liver. Drugs blocking ceramide production could help prevent metastasis.

Journal: Science
Funder: National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, MIT Stem Cell Initiative, Koch Institute Frontier grant, NRW Junior Research Program

21-Sep-2026

‘Invisible’ inflammation in rare bowel disease may explain heightened colon cancer risk

Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Peer-Reviewed Publication

New research from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research has revealed for the first time that two closely related bowel diseases, currently treated in the same way, are fundamentally different. The findings help explain why one carries a much higher risk of colon cancer – and point to the need for different approaches to treatment.

Journal: Nature Communications

21-Sep-2026

Blood vessel features in tumors may help predict patient survival in colorectal cancer

Mass General Brigham
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Mass General Brigham researchers conducted a prospective cohort study of blood vessels in colorectal tumors, linking higher blood vessel density to lower colorectal cancer-specific mortality

Journal: JAMA Network Open
Funder: Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge Award, American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor Award, Project P Fund, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Harvey V. Fineberg Cancer Prevention Fellowship, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Faculty Career Development Award, American Institute for Cancer Research, Uehara Memorial Foundation

18-Sep-2026

Loss of Y chromosome in men could be early warning sign of cancer

University of Arizona
Peer-Reviewed Publication

New research has found that Y chromosome loss occurs in healthy-seeming tissue before tumors begin to form, making the loss of a hormone an early indicator of cancer danger.

Journal: JCI Insight