Neutralizing Tumor-Promoting Chronic Inflammation: A Magic Bullet?

Abstract

A Shift in Cancer's Inflammatory Balance One of the many factors that contribute to the initiation and progression of cancer is inflammation. Inflammation can support tumor development, both directly and indirectly, and tumors can promote a chronic inflammatory environment that results in immunosuppression, which benefits the tumor. Coussens et al. (p. 286 ) review the components of the immune system that contribute to the chronic inflammation seen in tumors. Potential therapies might shift this inflammatory environment toward one more characteristic of an acute, resolving inflammation, similar to what is observed during a pathogenic infection. Such a shift would relieve immunosuppression and drive antitumor immunity that, when combined with other therapies, may ultimately result in tumor cell clearance.