Inflammation and Cancer. I. Rodent models of infectious gastrointestinal and liver cancer.

Chronic gastrointestinal and liver infections account for a significant percentage of human cancer deaths. Rodent models help elucidate how infection can lead to malignancy. Helicobacter pylori, the leading cause of human gastric tumors, produces similar disease in Mongolian gerbils. H. pylori, H. felis, and H. hepaticus induce stomach, lower bowel, or liver tumors in susceptible wild-type and genetically engineered mice. Immune dysregulated mice recapitulate features of inflammatory bowel disease including colon carcinoma. Hepatitis B and C virus transgenic mice provide insights into viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Rodent models enhance our understanding of infectious cancer pathogenesis and suggest novel targets for intervention.