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Review
. 2016 Sep 21;22(35):7882-91.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i35.7882.

Biomarkers for colitis-associated colorectal cancer

Ru Chen  1 , Lisa A Lai  1 , Teresa A Brentnall  1 , Sheng Pan  1
Affiliations
Review

Biomarkers for colitis-associated colorectal cancer

Ru Chen et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Patients with extensive ulcerative colitis (UC) of more than eight years duration have an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Molecular biomarkers for dysplasia and cancer could have a great clinical value in managing cancer risk in these UC patients. Using a wide range of molecular techniques - including cutting-edge OMICS technologies - recent studies have identified clinically relevant biomarker candidates from a variety of biosamples, including colonic biopsies, blood, stool, and urine. While the challenge remains to validate these candidate biomarkers in multi-center studies and with larger patient cohorts, it is certain that accurate biomarkers of colitis-associated neoplasia would improve clinical management of neoplastic risk in UC patients. This review highlights the ongoing avenues of research in biomarker development for colitis-associated colorectal cancer.

Keywords: Biomarker; Colitis; Colorectal cancer; Dysplasia; Non-progressor; Progressor; Surveillance.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Application of biomarkers in ulcerative colitis surveillance protocol. 1Management of LGD is dependent on the clinician and patient choices. HGD: High-grade dysplasia; CRC: Colorectal cancer; LGD: Low-grade dysplasia.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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