title: From Inflammation to Cancer in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Molecular Perspectives.
abstract: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are associated with an increased risk of colitis-associated colorectal carcinoma (CAC). CAC is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The aim of the present review was to discuss the most important signaling pathways and genetic alterations involved in carcinogenesis related to IBD, focusing on the molecular aspects of cancer stem cell physiology and the impact of the inflammatory microenvironment. Molecular mechanisms involved in CAC development differ from those in sporadic colorectal cancer, reflecting the prominent role of inflammation-induced carcinogenesis in the development of CAC. The alteration of the physiological microenvironment is thought to be responsible for the initiation of carcinogenesis in IBD. Furthermore, cancer stem cells seem to have a fundamental role in the generation and growth of CAC. We also address prevention and treatment modalities of CAC and its involvement in IBD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy muzzy87@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic, Traumatologic, Rehabilitative, Plastic-Reconstructive Science, School of Medicine and Surgery, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: DE Francesco
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zarantonello
authors.affiliation: Fourth Department of Surgery, Regional Center for HPB Surgery, Regional Hospital of Treviso, Treviso, Italy.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ruffolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic, Traumatologic, Rehabilitative, Plastic-Reconstructive Science, School of Medicine and Surgery, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ferraro
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanus
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.affiliation: Fourth Department of Surgery, Regional Center for HPB Surgery, Regional Hospital of Treviso, Treviso, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Cillo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
keywords: Molecular biomarkers; chronic inflammation; inflammatory bowel disease; new therapeutic concepts; review; tumor microenvironment