UA, a metabolite of pomegranate mesocarp, synergistically reduced COX-2 expression by ~70% and increased cleaved caspase-3 levels (~10-fold in cell cultures, +74% in adenomas, and +69% in normal mucosa), indicating that the proapoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties of UA promote tumor progression in high-risk CRC patients. The gene discussed is CASP3; the disease is neoplasm.