| Theme |
Inflammation and cancer in the lower GI tract |
| Title |
Molecular mechanisms of inflammation-associated carcinogenesis |
| Author |
Atsushi Takai |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University |
| Author |
Hiroyuki Marusawa |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University |
| Author |
Tsutomu Chiba |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University |
| [ Summary ] |
Many types of digestive organ cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, colitis-associated colon cancer, bile duct cancer and esophageal cancer from Barrett's esophagus, arise from tissues with chronic inflammation. Controlling chronic inflammation is important for inhibiting cancer development ; however, the detailed mechanisms of inflammation-associated carcinogenesis remain unclear. Recent progress in molecular biological research has revealed how chronic inflammation can induce genetic abnormalities. It is becoming increasingly obvious in both basic research and epidemiological studies that these genetic changes are closely associated with cancer development. In addition to genetic aberrations, epigenetic modifications in cancer tissues are also implicated in cancer progression. Elucidation of the mechanisms of inflammation-associated carcinogenesis promises to be useful for cancer prevention and treatment in clinical practice. |