Innate inflammation and cancer: Is it time for cancer prevention?

Recently, studies have been reported indicating that daily aspirin treatment for a period of 5 years or longer has a significant protective effect against death by colorectal carcinoma (as has previously been shown) and also against death by other solid cancers, both gastrointestinal and otherwise. These studies have reignited interest in the possibility of using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for cancer prevention and the possibility that the numerous recent studies identifying the molecular mechanisms of the link between inflammation and cancer may allow the identification of better drugs for cancer prevention. Cancer often originates in tissues that are chronically inflamed, either in response to infections or noninfectious inflammation. Innate inflammation receptors, proinflammatory soluble factors, and inflammation-induced transcription factors have been identified that provide an understanding of some of the molecular pathways underlying the link between inflammation and cancer. However, the important role of the innate inflammatory pathways in host defense against pathogens and tissue damage as well as the maintenance of tissue integrity and homeostasis means that additional careful studies will be needed to identify anti-inflammatory interventions with the beneficial effect of tumor prevention without unacceptable toxic side effects.