Persistent Inflammation Alters Gut Stem Cell Function, Elevating Colorectal Cancer Risk March 25, 2026 National Institutes Of Health (Nih) Share Summary Takeaways Listen Insight Report Clinical Scorecard Quiz Poll 1 Chronic gut inflammation can lead to lasting changes in stem cells, increasing the risk of colorectal cancer even after inflammation subsides. 2 The study identified AP-1 transcription factors as key players in the link between chronic inflammation and tumor growth in colorectal cancer. 3 Epigenetic changes in colonic stem cells were found to persist for over 100 days after the cessation of colitis, affecting gene expression. 4 Mice that recovered from chronic colitis exhibited significantly faster colorectal tumor growth compared to healthy mice. 5 The findings suggest potential for early cancer risk assessment and therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic memories in humans.
