Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Non-invasive Assessment of the Efficacy of New Therapeutics for Intestinal Pathologies Using Serial Endoscopic Imaging of Live Mice
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Non-invasive Assessment of the Efficacy of New Therapeutics for Intestinal Pathologies Using Serial Endoscopic Imaging of Live Mice

Published on: March 10, 2015

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Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Colon Neoplasia

Guofeng Xie1, Jean-Pierre Raufman2

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Veterans Administration Maryland Health Care System, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. gxie@medicine.umaryland.edu.

Cancers
|August 13, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of death due to limited treatments for metastatic disease. This review explores the dual role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in CRC and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of cancer mortality in the US.
  • Limited therapeutic options exist for metastatic CRC.
  • The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor involved in various cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of AhR signaling in colorectal cancer.
  • To discuss the potential of AhR as a therapeutic target for CRC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on AhR signaling in CRC.
  • Analysis of both pro- and anti-carcinogenic functions of AhR.

Main Results:

  • AhR exhibits both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressing activities in CRC.
  • AhR signaling influences intestinal cell proliferation and tumorigenesis.
  • Evidence suggests AhR's complex involvement in CRC development.

Conclusions:

  • AhR signaling presents a complex landscape in colorectal cancer.
  • Targeting AhR pathways may offer novel therapeutic strategies for CRC.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate AhR's precise role and therapeutic potential in CRC.
Keywords:
TCDDaryl hydrocarbon receptorcolorectal cancerxenobiotics

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