ADHESION MOLECULES IN INFLAMMATORY AND NEOPLASTIC INTESTINAL-DISEASES

Adhesion molecules participate in a broad variety of biological proces ses, i.e. tumor progression and inflammation, through their involvemen t in cell-to-cell interactions and immunoinflammatory cell migration. This review describes the basic properties of adhesion molecules with reference to inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal carcinoma. Accu mulating data suggest that adhesion molecules could be pathogeneticall y pertinent to other gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease (nontropical sprue) and gastroduodenal ulcer. Future therapeutic appr oaches in inflammatory and malignant disorders may possibly be develop ment of principles targeting adhesion molecules.