Pathogenesis and biomarkers of carcinogenesis in ulcerative colitis

The early identification of patients with ulcerative colitis who have an increased risk of colorectal cancer would be useful for clinicians. In this Review, the authors discuss the most promising preneoplastic biomarkers, including p53 mutations, chromosomal instability and senescence, in ulcerative colitis. They also present the available knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.