Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
12:37
Modeling Colitis-Associated Cancer with Azoxymethane (AOM) and Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)
Published on: September 11, 2012
Inflammation and colon cancer.
Janos Terzić1, Sergei Grivennikov, Eliad Karin
1Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Departments of Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
Gastroenterology
|April 28, 2010
Summary
Inflammation significantly drives colon cancer development, influencing all stages from initiation to metastasis. Understanding these immune mechanisms offers new avenues for cancer prevention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The link between inflammation and cancer, particularly colon cancer, is strongly supported by recent evidence.
- Inflammatory bowel disease is a known risk factor for colon cancer, and inflammation likely plays a role in other forms as well.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular mechanisms by which inflammation promotes colorectal cancer.
- To discuss the role of immune cells and mediators in colon tumorigenesis.
- To explore novel prevention and therapy strategies targeting inflammation in colorectal cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent genetic, pharmacological, and epidemiological data.
- Elucidation of molecular pathways involving immune cells and cytokines.
- Analysis of mechanisms across all stages of colon cancer development.
Main Results:
- Distinct immune cells and cytokines are implicated in colon cancer initiation, promotion, progression, and metastasis.
- Mechanisms may vary between colitis-associated and other colorectal cancers.
- Emerging insights into the complex interplay between inflammation and cancer.
Conclusions:
- Inflammation is a critical factor in colorectal cancer development.
- Further research into immune-mediated mechanisms is essential.
- Targeting inflammation presents promising therapeutic and preventive opportunities for colorectal cancer.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...