Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) have identified chronic low-grade inflammation (CLGI) as a potential driver behind the increasing rates of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), according to a recent review published in the September issue of *Trends in Cancer*. The study examines how both modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors encountered early in life may contribute to CLGI, which in turn could promote the development of EOCRC by altering the proinflammatory and immune environment conducive to tumor growth.
EOCRC refers to colorectal cancer diagnosed in individuals typically under the age of 50. Unlike traditional late-onset forms of the disease, most young patients with EOCRC lack a family history and are often diagnosed at an advanced stage. These cancers also present distinct molecular characteristics compared to those occurring later in life. Given the rising incidence of EOCRC worldwide and its associated poor prognosis, the researchers emphasize the urgency of improved prediction, prevention, and personalized treatment strategies.
The WCM-Q team, led by Dr. Dietrich Bisselberg, professor of systems and computational biomedicine, explored the complex ways in which environmental exposures, lifestyle factors, metabolic disorders, and gut microbiome imbalances disrupt immune balance and contribute to persistent, low-level inflammation. This inflammatory state may create conditions that facilitate the initiation and progression of colorectal tumors in younger individuals.
Their review highlights the potential utility of identifying specific biomarkers linked to CLGI, which could enhance early detection and diagnosis of EOCRC. Moreover, targeting the molecular pathways associated with chronic inflammation might enable more tailored therapeutic approaches, reducing cancer risk and improving patient outcomes.
The authors also underscore the role of lifestyle interventions in managing CLGI. According to co-corresponding author Dr. Samson Mathews Samuel, a research associate at WCM-Q, environmental pollutants, unhealthy habits, obesity, diabetes, and microbial imbalances contribute significantly to chronic inflammation, which acts as a key trigger for EOCRC development. He advocates for updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines that incorporate assessments of inflammatory biomarkers alongside evaluations of individual environmental and lifestyle exposures from early life.
The study suggests that a combination of anti-inflammatory diets, pharmacological agents, and personalized interventions targeting inflammation could play an essential role in preventing EOCRC and improving therapeutic results. This approach offers a promising avenue in combating the growing public health challenge posed by the rising incidence of colorectal cancer in younger populations.