Role of mast cells in colorectal cancer development, the jury is still out

The link between inflammation and colorectal cancer development is becoming increasingly clear. It had long been recognized that patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at an increased risk of colon cancer. Evidence from experimental animals now also implicates the innate immune system in the development of sporadically occurring intestinal adenomas, the precursors to colorectal cancer. Here we discuss the interaction between the immune system and the adenoma to carcinoma sequence with a special emphasis on the role of mast cells which may play a key role in adenoma development. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Mast cells in inflammation.

Research Highlights
► Chronic inflammation predisposes to colorectal cancer formation.
► The role of innate immunity in sporadic colon cancer development is increasingly recognized.
► Mast cells are innate immune cells that may modulate colonic adenoma to carcinoma development.
► We review conflicting studies in mice on the potential role of mast cells in adenoma formation.
► We discuss strengths and weaknesses of the models used.