Polarization of cytokine profile from Th1 into Th2 along colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence: implications for the biotherapeutic target?

Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets. 2008 Jun;7(2):94-7. doi: 10.2174/187152808785107589.

Abstract

The development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) has been hypothesized to be raised mostly from the precancerous lesion of colorectal adenoma (CRA) through a multistep process and defined as the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. In response to the tumorigenesis, host cellular immunity acts as the most important defense factor with cytokines as the main regulator molecules. Therefore, changes of cytokines of the T helper 1 (Th1)/T helper 2 (Th2) type immune responses along this sequence may therefore reflect a functional switch of host anti-tumor immunity. This minireview focused on the recent knowledge of the Th1/Th2 balance in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence and its potential clinical and therapeutical significance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / immunology
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adenoma / therapy*
  • Animals
  • Biological Therapy / methods*
  • Carcinoma / immunology
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Carcinoma / therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / immunology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cytokines / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines