Chemoprevention of colorectal cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common form of cancer and the 2nd leading cause of death among all cancer diseases in Europe. The risk of developing colon cancer in the lifetime is about 7% and is gradually increasing with age. Mutation of protooncogenes, tumor-suppresor genes (particularly APC 1 and 2, k-RAS, P53 e.i.) and DNA repair genes (hMSH-2 and -6, hMLH-1, MMR) is leading to unrestricted cell division. Most colorectal cancers should be preventable by an increased surveillance, improved lifestyle, dietary protective agents, and probably, by a targeted chemoprevention. A re-evaluation of the colon cancer chemoprevention in the light of the recent results of clinical data is presented (Ref. 12).