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Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Molecular Profiling of the Invasive Tumor Microenvironment in a 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Ex vivo Fibroblasts
Published on: April 29, 2014
Inflammatory networks underlying colorectal cancer
Audrey Lasry1, Adar Zinger1, Yinon Ben-Neriah1
1The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Inflammation is a key factor in cancer development. This review explores how inflammatory processes drive colorectal cancer and discusses using anti-inflammatory drugs for prevention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a hallmark of cancer.
- Its precise role in many tumors is not fully understood.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) show effectiveness in reducing cancer rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the inflammatory processes involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression.
- To discuss the potential of anti-inflammatory strategies for CRC prevention and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of inflammatory processes in cancer.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on NSAID use and cancer incidence.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on anti-inflammatory therapies for CRC.
Main Results:
- While overt inflammation is seen in some tumors, indolent inflammatory processes may be more common.
- NSAIDs demonstrate a significant impact on reducing cancer incidence and mortality.
- Understanding these diverse inflammatory roles is crucial for effective intervention.
Conclusions:
- Inflammation plays a multifaceted role in colorectal cancer, extending beyond overt inflammatory responses.
- Targeting inflammatory pathways with anti-inflammatory drugs offers a promising avenue for CRC prevention and treatment.
- Further research into the subtle roles of inflammation is warranted to develop novel therapeutic strategies.
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