Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Clin Oncol. Jun 24, 2026; 17(6): 120414
Published online Jun 24, 2026. doi: 10.5306/wjco.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, 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
Revised: March 31, 2026
Accepted: May 7, 2026
Published online: June 24, 2026
Processing time: 116 Days and 17.4 Hours
Core Tip
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.