The effect of 5-ASA on colitis-associated carcinogenesis

The impact of the antiinflammatory agent 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) on the risk for colitis-associated colorectal cancer remains controversial. The chemopreventive activity of 5-ASA was evaluated in the Swiss Webster model of azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis-associated neoplasia. Mice were injected with AOM (7.4 mg/kg i.p.) and randomized to receive either vehicle or 5-ASA (75mg/kg) for the remainder of the study. DSS treatment began at 9 weeks of age and continued for 3 cycles. At the time of sacrifice (18 weeks of age), the entire colon and rectum were processed for histopathologic examination and microarray profiling. For information regarding the histopathological analysis, refer to Clapper ML, Gary MA, Coudry RA, Litwin S, Chang WC, Devarajan K, Lubet RA, Cooper HS. 5-aminosalicylic acid inhibits colitis-associated colorectal dysplasias in the mouse model of azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2008 Oct;14(10):1341-7. doi: 10.1002/ibd.20489. PMID: 18452197. Mice were injected with AOM (7.4 mg/kg i.p.) and randomized to receive either vehicle or 5-ASA (75 mg/kg) for the remainder of the study. DSS treatment began at 9 weeks of age and continued for 3 cycles. At the time of sacrifice (18 weeks of age), the entire colon and rectum were processed for histopathologic examination.