title: Role of cancer stem cells in age-related rise in colorectal cancer.
abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) that comprises about 50% of estimated gastrointestinal cancers remains a high mortality malignancy. It is estimated that CRC will result in 9% of all cancer related deaths. CRC is the third leading malignancy affecting both males and females equally; with 9% of the estimated new cancer cases and 9% cancer related deaths. Sporadic CRC, whose incidence increases markedly with advancing age, occurs in 80%-85% patients diagnosed with CRC. Little is known about the precise biochemical mechanisms responsible for the rise in CRC with aging. However, many probable reasons for this increase have been suggested; among others they include altered carcinogen metabolism and the cumulative effects of long-term exposure to cancer-causing agents. Herein, we propose a role for self-renewing, cancer stem cells (CSCs) in regulating these cellular events. In this editorial, we have briefly described the recent work on the evolution of CSCs in gastro-intestinal track especially in the colon, and how they are involved in the age-related rise in CRC. Focus of this editorial is to provide a description of (1) CSC; (2) epigenetic and genetic mechanisms giving rise to CSCs; (3) markers of CSC; (4) characteristics; and (5) age-related increase in CSC in the colonic crypt.
authors.affiliation: Pratima Nangia-Makker, Yingjie Yu, Adhip PN Majumdar, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University-School of Medicine, Research Service, Detroit, MI 48201, United States.
authors.forename: Pratima
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nangia-Makker
authors.affiliation: Pratima Nangia-Makker, Yingjie Yu, Adhip PN Majumdar, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University-School of Medicine, Research Service, Detroit, MI 48201, United States.
authors.forename: Yingjie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Pratima Nangia-Makker, Yingjie Yu, Adhip PN Majumdar, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University-School of Medicine, Research Service, Detroit, MI 48201, United States.
authors.forename: Adhip Pn
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Majumdar
keywords: Aging; Cancer stem cells; Colonic crypt; Colonospheres; Colorectal cancer