title: The expression and role of CXC chemokines in colorectal cancer.
abstract: Cancer is a life-threatening disease world-wide and colorectal cancer is the second common cause of cancer mortality. The interaction between tumor cells and stromal cells plays a crucial role in tumor initiation and progression and is partially mediated by chemokines. Chemokines predominantly participate in the chemoattraction of leukocytes to inflammatory sites. Nowadays, it is clear that CXC chemokines and their receptors (CXCR) may also modulate tumor behavior by several important mechanisms: regulation of angiogenesis, activation of a tumor-specific immune response by attracting leukocytes, stimulation of tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. Here, we review the expression and complex roles of CXC chemokines (CXCL1 to CXCL16) and their receptors (CXCR1 to CXCR6) in colorectal cancer. Overall, increased expression levels of CXC chemokines correlate with poor prognosis.
authors: Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors: Hannelien
authors: H
authors: Verbeke
authors: Sofie
authors: S
authors: Struyf
authors: Geneviève
authors: G
authors: Laureys
authors: Jo
authors: J
authors: Van Damme
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019743:Chemokines, CXC / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D054387:Receptors, CXCR / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019743:Chemokines, CXC; D054387:Receptors, CXCR