Inflammation and Stem Cells in Gastrointestinal Carcinogenesis

Michael Quante and Timothy Cragin Wang Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, Irving Cancer Research Center, New York, New York, tcw21{at}columbia.edu Chronic inflammation-induced carcinogenesis is a commonly accepted entity and is frequently seen within the ga...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physiology (Bethesda, Md.) Md.), 2008-12, Vol.23 (6), p.350-359
Main Authors: Quante, Michael, Wang, Timothy Cragin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cytokines - biosynthesis
Cytokines - physiology
Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - etiology
Humans
Inflammation - complications
Inflammation - physiopathology
Stem Cells - physiology
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Summary:Michael Quante and Timothy Cragin Wang Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, Irving Cancer Research Center, New York, New York, tcw21{at}columbia.edu Chronic inflammation-induced carcinogenesis is a commonly accepted entity and is frequently seen within the gastrointestinal tract, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Alterations in specific oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are known to be responsible for malignant transformation. Nevertheless, the inflammatory microenvironment classically affects tumor promotion in its role as an altered stem cell niche and can also affect tumor initiation and tumor progression. The origin of the tumor cells is often attributed to stem cells, a unique subpopulation within tumors that possess the ability to initiate tumor growth and sustain self-renewal, as well as is largely responsible for their metastatic potential. Here, we review the link between inflammation and gastrointestinal carcinogenesis and the relationship between stem cells and cancer stem cells.
ISSN:1548-9213
1548-9221
DOI:10.1152/physiol.00031.2008