Researchers Study Cause Of IBD-Related Colon Cancer

Anisa Shaker, MD, is leading research in the interactions between the gastrointestinal epithelium and the stroma—the supporting layer underlying the epithelium, and in particular, these interactions in colitis and colitis-associated cancer, a sub-type of colorectal cancer that afflicts patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Disruptions in epithelial-stromal interactions are increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of these diseases, which continue to have considerable associated morbidity and mortality. Researchers are using murine models that closely mimic the colitis and colitis-associated cancer observed in humans.

To further understand the underlying mechanisms, they have isolated one particular type of stromal cell, the myofibroblast, which is thought to be a component of the malignant stem-cell niche involved in regulating the behavior of the overlying epithelium. Researchers also are interested in the role of the stromal myofibroblast in the pathogenesis of this sub-type of colorectal cancer.

Research on cellular and molecular pathogenesis of IBD-related colon cancer increases the potential of developing targeted therapies for this difficult-to-treat malignancy.