A new role for the protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) in suppressing colorectal cancer — the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. — has been outlined by new research, providing a better understanding of the illness. “It’s not widely appreciated, but there is still plenty of cell growth going on in adults, with the colon being a good example,” a researcher said. “On average, we shed and replace about 70 pounds of intestinal tissue annually, so you can imagine that this process requires exquisite control to prevent tumor formation.”