TY - JOUR
T1 - Colitis and cancer
T2 - A tale of inflammatory cells and their cytokines
AU - Burstein, Ezra
AU - Fearon, Eric R.
PY - 2008/2/1
Y1 - 2008/2/1
N2 - Chronic inflammatory disorders are often associated with an increased cancer risk. A particularly striking example of the chronic inflammation-cancer link is seen in inflammatory bowel disease, in which chronic colitis or persistent inflammation in the colon is associated with elevated risk of colorectal cancer. Animal models exploring the mechanisms by which inflammation increases the risk of colon cancer have shown that inflammatory cells, through the effects of the cytokines they produce, have a major role in promoting neoplastic transformation. In this issue of the JCI, Popivanova and colleagues demonstrate that TNF-α, through its effects on the immune system, plays a critical role in promoting neoplastic transformation in this setting (see the related article beginning on page 560). Importantly, the study also provides evidence that anti-TNF-α therapies, which are currently in clinical use, may interrupt the process.
AB - Chronic inflammatory disorders are often associated with an increased cancer risk. A particularly striking example of the chronic inflammation-cancer link is seen in inflammatory bowel disease, in which chronic colitis or persistent inflammation in the colon is associated with elevated risk of colorectal cancer. Animal models exploring the mechanisms by which inflammation increases the risk of colon cancer have shown that inflammatory cells, through the effects of the cytokines they produce, have a major role in promoting neoplastic transformation. In this issue of the JCI, Popivanova and colleagues demonstrate that TNF-α, through its effects on the immune system, plays a critical role in promoting neoplastic transformation in this setting (see the related article beginning on page 560). Importantly, the study also provides evidence that anti-TNF-α therapies, which are currently in clinical use, may interrupt the process.
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U2 - 10.1172/JCI34831
DO - 10.1172/JCI34831
M3 - Comment/debate
C2 - 18219390
AN - SCOPUS:38849113431
SN - 0021-9738
VL - 118
SP - 464
EP - 467
JO - Journal of Clinical Investigation
JF - Journal of Clinical Investigation
IS - 2
ER -