Latest WCM-Q study links chronic inflammation to colorectal cancer

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar have explored the link between chronic low-grade inflammation and the increase in early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) in a recent review published in Trends in Cancer. The article, titled "Defying inflammation-driven early-onset colorectal cancer: predict, prevent, and personalize," discusses how early-life exposures to both controllable and uncontrollable risk factors may contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation (CLGI), a subtle factor that plays a role in the rising numbers of EOCRC cases.

CLGI can exacerbate EOCRC by altering the proinflammatory and immune environment, fostering tumor growth and cancer. Dr. Dietrich Büsselberg, a professor of systems and computational biomedicine at WCM-Q and co-corresponding author, emphasized the rising incidence of EOCRC among young patients with no family history and poor prognoses. He highlighted the urgent need for research on disease prediction, prevention, and targeted clinical interventions.

The study reveals how risk factors disrupt immune balance and contribute to CLGI in young people, potentially promoting EOCRC development. Identifying CLGI-specific biomarkers could facilitate early detection and diagnosis, while identifying specific molecular pathways could enable personalized therapies by reducing chronic inflammation's impact. The researchers also stress the importance of lifestyle changes and interventions to curb chronic low-grade inflammation in the context of the growing EOCRC health concern.

Dr. Samson Mathews Samuel, a research associate at WCM-Q and co-corresponding author, suggested that anti-inflammatory diets, drugs, and personalized approaches targeting CLGI may help prevent EOCRC and enhance treatment outcomes.