| Colorectal carcinogenesis is the result of a variable genetic predisposition and environmental factors especially dietary composition. In this research line attention has been focussed for one decade now on the interactions between colorectal luminal factors, which are closely re-lated to the diet, and colorectal epithelium. Possible modes of nutritional intervention, especially supplementation of calcium, are being studied. Apart from this the effects of certain xenobiotics, especially anthranoid laxatives, on colonic epithelium are subject of study in view of their potential carcinogenic effects. The role of genetic predisposition colorectal cancer is another important issue to be studied. This includes the role of germline mismatch repair gene mutation in familial cases of cancer not fulfilling classic criteria for hereditairy nonpolyposis colorectal cancer and population genetic studies of colorectal cancer. Pathogenesis of adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and the stomach and their possible prevention is also subject of study in this research line. In Barrett s esophagus the effect of elimination of acid reflux on markers of (pre)malignant development is a major issue in this. |
