Inflammation and colorectal cancer - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

Inflammation and colorectal cancer

Sarah Kraus et al. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2009 Aug.

Abstract

Patients with long-standing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the underlying mechanisms are not entirely clear. A genetic basis for the increased risk of CRC in IBD patients is only a partial explanation. It is possible that high levels of inflammatory mediators that are produced in this setting may contribute to the development and progression of CRC. Growing evidence supports a role for various cytokines, released by epithelial and immune cells, in the pathogenesis of IBD-associated neoplasia. Two key genes in the inflammatory process, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), provide a mechanistic link between inflammation and cancer while other factors such as, TNF-alpha and IL-6-induced signaling have been recently shown to promote tumor growth in experimental models of colitis-associated cancer. This article reviews the pathogenesis of IBD-related CRC and summarizes the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of intestinal neoplasia in the setting of chronic inflammation.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources