Inhibitors of Colorectal Carcinogenesis: Experimental and Therapeutic Aspects

Abstract

Evidence from epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory studies including animal experiments suggests that cancer develops from a complex, multistage interaction between genetic and environmental factors. In colorectal cancer, the environmental component of the process, which is diet, contributes more to cancer formation than the inheritance factor in most people (Doll 1980). The diet contains a large number of compounds that affect the carcinogenic process in some manner, and it is their combined effect that determines the degree of cancer risk from dietary factors. Since the identification and elimination of the carcinogens that initiate colon cancer formation appear to be difficult, the current emphasis in research on prevention is focused mainly on ways to alter the carcinogenic process. While a complete interruption of the process is desirable, it is not essential because simply slowing its progression enough so that clinical cancer does not develop during the normal span of life would also prevent cancer morbidity and mortality.