Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a bioactive lipid that elicits a wide range of biological effects associated with inflammation and cancer. PGE2 exerts diverse effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, inflammation and immune surveillance. This review concentrates primarily on gastrointestinal cancers, where the actions of PGE2 are most prominent, most likely due to the constant exposure to dietary and environmental insults and the intrinsic role of PGE2 in tissue homeostasis. A discussion of recent efforts to elucidate the complex and interconnected pathways that link PGE2 signaling with inflammation and cancer is provided, supported by the abundant literature showing a protective effect of NSAIDs and the therapeutic efficacy of targeting mPGES-1 or EP receptors for cancer prevention. However, suppressing PGE2 formation as a means of providing chemoprotection against all cancers may not ultimately be tenable, undoubtedly the situation for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Future studies to fully understand the complex role of PGE2 in both inflammation and cancer will be required to develop novel strategies for cancer prevention that are both effective and safe.

The study of experimental colon carcinogenesis in rodents has a long history, dating back almost 80 years. There are many advantages to studying the pathogenesis of carcinogen-induced colon cancer in mouse models, including rapid and reproducible tumor induction and the recapitulation of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence that occurs in humans. The availability of recombinant inbred mouse panels and the existence of transgenic, knock-out and knock-in genetic models further increase the value of these studies. In this review, we discuss the general mechanisms of tumor initiation elicited by commonly used chemical carcinogens and how genetic background influences the extent of disease. We will also describe the general features of lesions formed in response to carcinogen treatment, including the underlying molecular aberrations and how these changes may relate to the pathogenesis of human colorectal cancer.

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Activation of PPAR␥ by synthetic ligands, such as thiazolidinediones, stimulates adipogenesis and improves insulin sensitivity. Although thiazolidinediones represent a major therapy for type 2 diabetes, conflicting studies showing that these agents can increase or decrease colonic tumors in mice have raised concerns about the role of PPAR␥ in colon cancer. To analyze critically the role of this receptor, we have used mice heterozygous for Ppar␥ with both chemical and genetic models of this malignancy. Heterozygous loss of PPAR␥ causes an increase in ␤-catenin levels and a greater incidence of colon cancer when animals are treated with azoxymethane. However, mice with preexisting damage to Apc, a regulator of ␤-catenin, develop tumors in a manner insensitive to the status of PPAR␥. These data show that PPAR␥ can suppress ␤-catenin levels and colon carcinogenesis but only before damage to the APC͞␤-catenin pathway. This finding suggests a potentially important use for PPAR␥ ligands as chemopreventative agents in colon cancer.