Current Understanding of the Role of PPARγ in Gastrointestinal Cancers

Numerous studies have indicated that PPAR gamma plays multiple roles such as in inflammation, cell cycle control, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis, thus PPAR gamma contributes to the homeostasis. Many in vitro studies have showed that ligand-induced activation of PPAR gamma possess antitumor effect in many cancers including CRC. However, the role of PPAR gamma in gastrointestinal cancers, especially in colorectal cancer, is rather controversial. Nevertheless, some recent studies with the positive results on the possible application of PPAR gamma ligands, such as Bezafibrate or Rosiglitazone in gastrointestinal cancers, have suggested a potential usefulness of PPAR gamma agonists in cancer prevention and therapy. In this review, the authors discuss the recent developments in the role of PPAR. in gastrointestinal cancers. Copyright (C) 2009 Bing Zou et al.