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Inflammation and cancer: an epidemiological perspective.
Michael J Thun1, S Jane Henley, Ted Gansler
1Epidemiology and Surveillance Research, American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4251, USA.
Novartis Foundation Symposium
|March 19, 2004
Summary
Chronic inflammation significantly elevates cancer risk in affected tissues, impacting organs like the bowel, stomach, and bladder. While anti-inflammatory drugs show promise, their use in cancer prevention and treatment requires further research on efficacy and safety.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Chronic inflammatory conditions are linked to increased cancer risk in various tissues.
- Examples include inflammatory bowel disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, parasitic infections, and chronic irritation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the association between chronic inflammation and cancer development.
- To explore the role of inflammatory mediators like COX-2 in tumorigenesis.
- To discuss the potential and limitations of anti-inflammatory drugs in cancer prevention and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical conditions linking inflammation and cancer.
- Examination of molecular mechanisms involving COX-2 and inflammatory mediators.
- Analysis of epidemiological studies on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cancer risk.
Main Results:
- Chronic inflammation from various causes (IBD, infections, irritation) predisposes to specific cancers.
- Increased expression of COX-2 and inflammatory mediators is observed during tumor progression.
- NSAIDs show inverse associations with certain cancers in epidemiological studies, suggesting therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- Inflammation is a significant factor in the development of various cancers.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, particularly NSAIDs, demonstrate potential in cancer prevention and treatment.
- Further research is crucial to determine optimal use, safety, and efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents in oncology.