Inflammation and cancer: a double-edged sword

Cancer Cell. 2007 Oct;12(4):300-1. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2007.10.005.

Abstract

Recent literature has highlighted an important role of inflammation in promoting cancer. However, the immune system can also play a central role in protecting the body against cancer as well as infection, although its role in cancer is not well understood. A study published in the September issue of Nature Medicine adds a new twist to the role of inflammation in cancer. Apetoh et al. describe how activation of innate immunity after conventional radiation or chemotherapy can trigger protective antitumor immunity.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell Death
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / radiation effects
  • HMGB1 Protein / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular* / drug effects
  • Immunity, Cellular* / radiation effects
  • Immunity, Innate* / drug effects
  • Immunity, Innate* / radiation effects
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Mice
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / radiation effects
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • HMGB1 Protein
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4