A hidden immune cascade linking the gut and bone marrow may explain how IBD turns inflammation into colon cancer.

Scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine have identified a complex immune process in the gut that may help explain why people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) face a much higher risk of colorectal cancer. The preclinical study shows how a specific immune signal can trigger a wave of white blood cells from the bone marrow into the gut, creating conditions that support tumor growth. The findings also suggest new approaches for detecting disease activity, tracking risk, and developing future treatments.

The role of TL1A in gut inflammation.