Review
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Mar 15, 2010; 2(3): 159-164
Published online Mar 15, 2010. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v2.i3.159
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and colorectal cancer
Yun Dai, Wei-Hong Wang
Yun Dai, Wei-Hong Wang, Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
Author contributions: Dai Y prepared the initial draft of the manuscript; Wang WH provided guidance throughout the preparation of this manuscript and made the final draft of this manuscript.
Correspondence to: Wei-Hong Wang, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China. wangweihong@medmail.com.cn
Telephone: +86-10-83572616 Fax: +86-10-66518105
Received: June 4, 2009
Revised: July 7, 2009
Accepted: July 14, 2009
Published online: March 15, 2010
Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and ligand-activated transcription factors. PPARγ plays an important role in adipocyte differentiation, lipid storage and energy dissipation in adipose tissue, and is involved in the control of inflammatory reactions as well as in glucose metabolism through the improvement of insulin sensitivity. Growing evidence has demonstrated that activation of PPARγ has an antineoplastic effect in tumors, including colorectal cancer. High expression of PPARγ is detected in human colon cancer cell lines and adenocarcinoma. This review describes the molecular mechanisms by which PPARγ regulates tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer, and examines current clinical trials evaluating PPARγ agonists as therapeutic agents for colorectal cancer.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, Ligand, Tumor suppression