SummaryChronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, or other long-lasting inflammatory conditions, affect many people and are characterized by persistent activation of the immune system. Long-term inflammation is believed to contribute to the development of cancer, but it is still not fully understood to what extent people with inflammatory diseases have a higher cancer risk, whether this risk differs between specific inflammatory diseases, and which biological changes may be involved. The objective of this project is to investigate whether participants in the German National Cohort (NAKO) with self-reported systemic inflammatory diseases develop cancer more often than participants without such diseases. We will study overall cancer incidence as well as selected frequent and clinically relevant cancer types, including cancers of the intestine, liver, pancreas, lung, breast, uterus, and cancers of the blood and lymphatic system. In addition, we will compare different groups of inflammatory diseases to assess disease-specific cancer risks. In addition, we will examine laboratory markers of inflammation and metabolism, including C-reactive protein, and medication information related to inflammatory diseases, to better understand biological differences between participants and the potential role of treatment in cancer development. This project will use existing baseline and cancer registry data from NAKO. The planned project duration is approximately 12-24 months, including data preparation, statistical analyses, and dissemination of results. By improving understanding of the links between chronic inflammatory diseases, biological changes, and cancer risk, this study aims to identify high-risk groups and disease-specific patterns that could support improved cancer prevention strategies and long-term monitoring. The findings may contribute to more targeted public health approaches and ultimately to reducing cancer burden among people with inflammatory diseases.

Keywords biomarkers cancer-incidence inflammatory-diseases prospective systemic-inflammation

InstitutionsMax-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin (MDC), Universität Münster, MDC, Max Delbrück Centrum für Molekulare Medizine, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)