Cancer Biology

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are characterized by chronic, progressive and relapsing inflammatory disorders. Existing evidence indicate that IBD is associated with a higher risk of developing CAC, which is directly related to the duration and extent of colitis. Thus, animal models have been developed to understand the biology of colitis and CAC. The most commonly used model of colitis is to treat with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). DSS given in the drinking water is toxic to the colonic epithelial lining and induces bloody diarrhea, ulceration and inflammation, similar to colitis in IBD patients. To study CAC, DSS treatment is combined with a single intraperitoneal injection of the DNA alkylation reagent Azoxymethane (AOM).