At the crossroads of inflammation and cancer.
Chronic inflammation and cancer are closely associated in the intestine. Anti-inflammatory medication reduces intestinal neoplasia, while colorectal cancer incidence is increased in ulcerative colitis. Cyclooxygenases are key to both diseases, yet the molecular basis of the association remains incompletely understood. Two recent Cell (Greten et al., 2004; Rakoff-Nahoum et al., 2004) papers illuminate roles of Toll-like receptors and the NF-kappaB pathway in the control of epithelial homeostasis in health and disease.
Clevers
Hans
H
Hubrecht Laboratory, Center for Biomedical Genetics, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht 3584 CT, The Netherlands. clevers@niob.knaw.nl
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000235:genetics; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors
D007527:Isoenzymes; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; C496511:PTGS1 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases