The Immune Environment in Colorectal Adenoma: A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives: Research on colorectal adenoma is significantly less comprehensive compared to studies on colorectal carcinoma. Although colorectal adenoma is a precursor of the majority of sporadic colorectal cancers, not all adenomas develop into carcinomas. The complex interaction of immune responses in the premalignant tumor microenvironment might be a factor for that. Methods: In this systematic review, we aim to provide a thorough analysis of the current research examining the immune infiltration patterns in sporadic colorectal adenoma tissues in the context of immune cell-based, cytokine-based, and other immunological factor-related changes along the conventional adenoma-carcinoma sequence. The articles included in the review extend up to December 2024 in PubMed and Web of Science databases. Results: Most included studies have shown significant differences in immune cell counts, densities, and cytokine expression levels associated with premalignant colorectal lesions (and/or colorectal cancer). No consensus on the immune-related tendencies concerning CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells was reached. Decreasing expression of mDCs and plasma and naïve B cells were detected along the ACS. The increased density of tissue eosinophils in the adenoma tissue dramatically diminishes after the transition to carcinoma. As the adenoma progresses, the increasing expression of IL-1α, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-23, IL-33, and TGF-β and decreasing levels of IL-12A, IL-18, IFN-γ, and TNFα cytokines in the invasive carcinoma stage is being detected. The over-expression of COX-2, PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4, and ICOS/ICOSLG in the colorectal adenomatous and cancerous tissues was also observed. Conclusions: Further studies are needed for a better understanding of the whole picture of colorectal adenoma-associated immunity and its impact on precancerous lesion's potential to progress.