Inflammasomes and pyroptosis in cancer: mechanisms and therapeutic advances

Inflammasomes are being increasingly recognized for their critical roles in regulating immune cell infiltration, antitumor immunity, and tumorigenesis in cancer biology. The expression and activation of inflammasomes, which vary according to the tumor type and stage, influence both tumor progression and elimination through pyroptosis. A deeper understanding of the complex functions and regulatory mechanisms of inflammasomes and pyroptosis in diverse aspects of tumor biology is crucial for the development of targeted therapies. In this review, we extensively explore the latest research on various types of inflammasomes, including NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 protein, NOD-like receptor family caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 4, and absent in melanoma 2, and different types of pyroptosis, highlighting their beneficial and deleterious effects on various cancers. We further explore inflammasome-associated immune dynamics, which can drive either tumor suppression or promotion depending on the microenvironmental context. Finally, we discuss emerging strategies to harness inflammasomes for cancer therapy, along with ongoing clinical efforts to develop inflammasome-targeted interventions as adjuncts to conventional antitumor treatments, offering new perspectives for cancer prevention and therapy.