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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 21, 2014; 20(35): 12407-12419
Published online Sep 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i35.12407
Immune reaction and colorectal cancer: Friends or foes?
Vincenzo Formica, Vittore Cereda, Antonella Nardecchia, Manfredi Tesauro, Mario Roselli
Vincenzo Formica, Vittore Cereda, Antonella Nardecchia, Mario Roselli, Medical Oncology Unit, ‘Tor Vergata’ University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy
Manfredi Tesauro, Internal Medicine Department, ‘Tor Vergata’ University Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy
Author contributions: Formica V, Nardecchia A and Roselli M collected papers and data on and wrote the relevant part in the review; Cereda V and Tesauro M collected data and wrote the sections regarding, Formica V overviewed the final version of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Vincenzo Formica, MD, Medical Oncology Unit, ‘Tor Vergata’ University Hospital, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy. v.formica1@gmail.com
Telephone: +39-60-20908190 Fax: +39-60-20903806
Received: November 21, 2013
Revised: March 19, 2014
Accepted: May 19, 2014
Published online: September 21, 2014
Processing time: 302 Days and 2.2 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Immune reactions accompany all stages of colorectal carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Recent evidence has shown that innate immunity pathways play a fundamental role in maintaining colorectal epithelial homeostasis and confer antitumor protection. However an excessive and unresolved innate immune reaction is the base of chronic colitis which is a well-known risk factor for colorectal cancer. Once the tumor has developed a number of immune cells may either favorably take under control its growth (CD45RO+CD8+ T cells) or favor its progression and metastatic spread (T regulatory cells). A fine regulation of all antitumor immune components is therefore necessary to design a proper immune-based therapeutic approach in colorectal cancer care and prevention.