Editorial
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 28, 2008; 14(28): 4434-4439
Published online Jul 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.4434
Molecular basis of the potential of mesalazine to prevent colorectal cancer
Carmine Stolfi, Roberto Pellegrini, Eleonora Franzè, Francesco Pallone, Giovanni Monteleone
Carmine Stolfi, Roberto Pellegrini, Eleonora Franzè, Francesco Pallone, Giovanni Monteleone, Department of Internal Medicine, University Tor Vergata of Rome, Rome 00133, Italy
Author contributions: Stolfi C, Pellegrini R, and Franzè E performed in vitro and in vivo experimental research and contributed to the draft manuscript; Pallone F and Monteleone G supervised the work and wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Giovanni Monteleone, Cattedra di Gastroenterologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy. Gi.Monteleone@Med.uniroma2.it
Telephone: +39-6-72596150
Fax: +39-6-72596391
Received: March 26, 2008
Revised: April 24, 2008
Accepted: April 30, 2008
Published online: July 28, 2008
Abstract

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer (CRC), and this is believed to be a result of chronic inflammation. Although conclusive evidence is still missing, both epidemiological and experimental observations suggest that certain drugs used to treat inflammation, such as mesalazine, can reduce the incidence of colitis-associated CRC. Therefore, in recent years, several studies have been conducted to dissect the mechanisms by which mesalazine interferes with CRC cell growth and survival. This review summarizes the current information on the molecular mechanisms that underlie the antineoplastic action of mesalazine.

Keywords: Chemoprevention; Colorectal cancer; Cyclooxygenase-2; Epidermal growth factor receptor; Inflammatory bowel disease; Mesalazine; Wnt/β-catenin