Wang YY, Yang H, Wang NN, Ding L. Immune microenvironment and immune cell dynamics in colitis-associated colorectal cancer: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications. World J Clin Oncol 2026; 17(6): 120414 [DOI: 10.5306/wjco.120414]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Lei Ding, MD, PhD, Chief Physician, Professor, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Tieyi Road, Yangfangdian, Haidian District, Beijing 100038, China. dinglei1005@126.com
Research Domain of This Article
Oncology
Article-Type of This Article
review-article
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
Share the Article
Wang YY, Yang H, Wang NN, Ding L. Immune microenvironment and immune cell dynamics in colitis-associated colorectal cancer: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications. World J Clin Oncol 2026; 17(6): 120414 [DOI: 10.5306/wjco.120414]
World J Clin Oncol. Jun 24, 2026; 17(6): 120414 Published online Jun 24, 2026. doi: 10.5306/wjco.120414
Immune microenvironment and immune cell dynamics in colitis-associated colorectal cancer: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications
Yu-Ying Wang, Hui Yang, Nan-Nan Wang, Lei Ding
Yu-Ying Wang, Hui Yang, Nan-Nan Wang, Lei Ding, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, China
Yu-Ying Wang, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
Author contributions: Wang YY and Ding L proposed the conception and design of the study; Wang YY was responsible for data collection, analysis and interpretation, and drafted the article; Yang H and Wang NN revised the work critically for important intellectual content; Ding L finally approved the submitted version. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work and ensure that questions related to the accuracy and integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
Supported by the China Scholarship Council, No. 202308110243; and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82471761.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Lei Ding, MD, PhD, Chief Physician, Professor, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Tieyi Road, Yangfangdian, Haidian District, Beijing 100038, China. dinglei1005@126.com
Received: February 27, 2026 Revised: March 31, 2026 Accepted: May 7, 2026 Published online: June 24, 2026 Processing time: 116 Days and 17.4 Hours
Abstract
Colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) is a form of colorectal cancer that arises and progresses within the context of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Studies have shown that, under the influence of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, immune cells within the tumor microenvironment play a dual role - exerting both anti-tumor and pro-tumor effects. However, it remains unclear how these immune cells undergo dynamic phenotypic shifts driven by specific inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. It examines how they transition from an early-stage state of anti-tumor immune surveillance to a late-stage state of pro-tumor immunosuppression. This review systematically elucidates the interactions and functional transformations occurring between key immune cells and immune molecules during the progression of CAC. By dissecting these complex immunoregulatory mechanisms, we provide novel insights for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of CAC treatment while simultaneously mitigating adverse effects. Furthermore, this study offers a novel perspective for exploring the dynamic immune mechanisms underlying CAC, as well as for developing precise early biomarkers and novel targeted therapies.
Core Tip: This manuscript focuses on the dual role - both anti-tumor and pro-tumor effects - played by immune cells within the microenvironment of colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Specifically, the article elucidates how inflammatory mediators, chemokines, and immune cells collectively drive the dynamic equilibrium between anti-tumor immunity and pro-tumor inflammation. By integrating the latest research advancements in the fields of immune cells, signaling molecules, and the gut microbiota, this review highlights the key immune signaling pathways and intercellular interactions that govern the progression of colitis-associated colorectal cancer.
