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Review
. 2008 Nov;17(11):2970-9.
doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-08-0571.

Infectious agents and colorectal cancer: a review of Helicobacter pylori, Streptococcus bovis, JC virus, and human papillomavirus

Andrea N Burnett-Hartman  1 , Polly A Newcomb, John D Potter
Affiliations
Review

Infectious agents and colorectal cancer: a review of Helicobacter pylori, Streptococcus bovis, JC virus, and human papillomavirus

Andrea N Burnett-Hartman et al. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008 Nov.

Abstract

Based on the high volume of bacteria and viruses that the intestine is exposed to and the importance of infectious agents in some gastrointestinal and anogenital cancers, it is not surprising the many studies have evaluated the association between colorectal cancer and infectious agents. This review highlights investigations of four agents in relation to colorectal cancer. Helicobacter pylori, Streptococcus bovis, JC virus, and human papillomavirus have all been evaluated as possible etiologic agents for colorectal cancer. For each of these agents, a review of possible mechanisms for carcinogenesis and epidemiologic evidence is discussed, and future directions for research are proposed.

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