Study: Chronic Inflammation May Be Linked to Colorectal Cancer

Vanderbilt University researchers report they have identified a type of DNA damage caused by chronic inflammation that may be a risk factor for colorectal cancer.

The findings, published in the early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, suggest that measurement of this type of DNA damage might be useful in assessment and management of a patient's colorectal cancer risk.

"A number of studies have implicated chronic inflammation in the development of cancers, but the specific way that occurs is not clear," said Dr. Lawrence J. Marnett. "These studies suggest a direct link between oxidative stress, like that seen in chronic inflammation, and genetic mutations that cause human disease."

The new study builds on years of research at Vanderbilt into how overproduction of the inflammation-causing enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) may contribute to cancer – and conversely, how aspirin-like drugs that block COX-2 might help treat or prevent cancer.

The researchers examined a type of DNA damage caused by malondialdehye (MDA), a product of COX-2. They found that he DNA damage had resulted in a specific type of mutations that are common in an inherited form of colon cancer, Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer (HPNCC).

This work suggests that these mutations, caused by inflammation and other oxidative stress, might also contribute to colorectal cancer, the researchers added.

Other sources: Vanderbilt University