A clinical perspective on the role of chronic inflammation in gastrointestinal cancer

Abstract

Chronic inflammation has been identified as an important risk factor for the development of malignancy, and knowledge about its molecular and cellular mechanisms is increasing. Several chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are important as risk factors for malignancy and have been studied in detail. In this review, we summarize important molecular mechanisms in chronic inflammation and highlight established and potential links between chronic inflammation and gastrointestinal cancer. In addition, we present the role of chronic inflammation in numerous tumors within the gastrointestinal tract as well as the relevant pathways or epidemiologic observations linking the pathogenesis of these tumors to inflammation.

Keywords: carcinogenesis; gastrointestinal cancer; immune response; inflammation; risk factor.

Figure 1

Chronic inflammation in carcinogenesis. Abbreviations: COX, cyclooxygenase; EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor; IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin; MMR, DNA mismatch repair; NF, nuclear factor; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor; Stat, signal transducers and activators of transcription; TGF, transforming growth factor; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; MMP, metalloproteinase.