Study Links Inflammatory Proteins to Colon Cancer Risk in Obese Individuals

Introduction to Colon Cancer Statistics

A recent study has explored the connection between inflammatory proteins related to obesity and the risk of colon cancer. Each year, approximately 1.3 million new cases of colon cancer are diagnosed globally. Being overweight is a recognized risk factor for this type of cancer, particularly for individuals classified as overweight or obese based on their Body Mass Index (BMI).

The Role of Obesity in Inflammation and Cancer

Obesity is known to induce a state of chronic inflammation in the body, which may be a mechanism through which inflammatory proteins contribute to the development of colon cancer. Previous research has established a link between these proteins and the activation of cellular pathways that can lead to cancer. While studies conducted on laboratory rodents have demonstrated elevated levels of inflammatory proteins in obese rats compared to their lean counterparts, similar investigations in humans have been lacking.

Research Methodology

Researchers in the United States sought to examine the levels of inflammatory proteins in obese human subjects and their association with colon cancer risk. Their findings were published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. The study involved participants categorized into normal BMI and overweight or obese ranges. A total of 42 Caucasian participants were analyzed, comprising 26 obese individuals and 16 with normal BMI. Blood samples and colon biopsies were collected to assess the levels of inflammatory proteins, specifically cytokines.

Key Findings of the Study

The results indicated a significant elevation in inflammatory proteins among obese patients compared to those with a normal weight. This relationship was linear, demonstrating that higher BMI correlated with increased levels of these proteins. Additionally, many participants regularly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which were associated with lower inflammatory protein levels in both obese and lean groups compared to those who did not use NSAIDs regularly.

Gene Expression and Cell Signaling Pathways

The researchers further investigated obesity-related changes in gene expression and cell signaling pathways. They discovered that certain genes associated with promoting inflammatory proteins and cancer cell signaling were more active in the colons of obese patients.

Limitations and Conclusions

While the study provides compelling evidence that BMI is linked to increased levels of inflammatory proteins, its small sample size and the exclusive focus on Caucasian subjects limit the generalizability of the results. The researchers caution that while there is an association between gene expression changes in the colon and inflammatory proteins, causation cannot be established. Nonetheless, they conclude that the presence of inflammatory proteins in the colon may help explain the relationship between obesity and colon cancer.

References

Pfalzer, A. C., Leung, K., Crott, J. W., Kim, S. J., Tai, A. K., Parnell, L. D., . . . Mason, J. B. (2018). Incremental Elevations in TNFα and IL6 in the Human Colon and Procancerous Changes in the Mucosal Transcriptome Accompany Adiposity. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.epi-18-0121
Gallagher, S. (2018, October 10). New study finds that inflammatory proteins in the colon increase incrementally with weight. Retrieved from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/tuhs-nsf101018.php