Immune system activation biomarker neopterin may promote colorectal cancer

Blood neopterin is a biomarker that reflects immunity and inflammation. In order to find out whether chronic inflammation plays a role in colorectal cancer, a prospective study was performed in 10 western European countries with 830 colorectal cancer patients and 830 healthy control participants. Scientists found a 'U-shaped' association between total neopterin concentrations and risk of colorectal cancer. It means that both suppressed and activated immunity may promote colorectal cancer. This study is the first one on the association between neopterin and colorectal cancer with a large population.

Original article: Aleksandrova et al (2015) A prospective study of the immune system activation biomarker neopterin and colorectal cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2015 Feb; 107 (4): djv010.