Pyroptosis and cancer: Linking inflammatory cell death to tumorigenesis and therapy

Pyroptosis is a new form of programmed cell death (PCD) that is characterized by the activation of inflammasomes, and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β and IL-18. In the recent years, interest in pyroptosis has surged, owing to its emerging and dual role in tumorigenesis. While pyroptosis can act as a defense mechanism by eliminating cancerous cells through inflammatory cell death, it can also promote chronic inflammation in the tumor microenvironment, thereby facilitating cancer progression. In this chapter, we summarise the molecular mechanisms that govern pyroptosis, and discusses how epigenetic regulation, non-coding RNAs, pathogens, metabolites, and post-translational modifications influence pyroptosis. Detailed sections are devoted to its impact across various cancer types, followed by an in-depth review of therapeutic strategies that aim to restore or suppress pyroptosis for anticancer treatment.