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Inflammation and carcinogenesis: molecular targets and small-molecule intervention strategies

Wan-Jung Lu1,2, Ritu Ojha1,2, Mandeep Rana3

  • 1Department of Optometry, College of Medicine, MacKay Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.

Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry
|June 26, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Chronic inflammation drives cancer development by creating a tumor-supportive environment. New research focuses on developing targeted small-molecule therapeutics by integrating systems biology and medicinal chemistry to combat this inflammation-cancer axis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

  • Chronic inflammation is a key driver of carcinogenesis, fostering a tumor-supportive tumor microenvironment (TME).
  • Key inflammatory mediators like NF-kB, JAK-STAT, inflammasomes, ROS, and cytokines are implicated in cancer progression.
  • Existing therapeutic strategies targeting the inflammation-cancer axis have shown limited success.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of the molecular pathways linking inflammation and cancer.
  • To highlight the critical role of inflammation in cancer development.
  • To review recent medicinal chemistry efforts in developing small-molecule therapeutics targeting inflammation in cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on the inflammation-cancer axis.
  • Analysis of key molecular pathways involved in inflammation-driven carcinogenesis.
  • Survey of medicinal chemistry campaigns over the last five years for anti-inflammatory cancer therapeutics.

Main Results:

  • Inflammation is integral to cancer development, influencing critical tumor hallmarks within the TME.
  • Dysregulated inflammatory pathways (NF-kB, JAK-STAT, inflammasomes, ROS, cytokines) promote a pro-tumorigenic environment.
  • Recent medicinal chemistry has focused on small molecules to target inflammation in cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the inflammation-cancer axis is crucial for developing novel cancer therapies.
  • Integrating systems biology with medicinal chemistry offers a promising avenue for next-generation anti-inflammatory cancer drugs.
  • Targeting inflammation represents a vital strategy in oncology drug development.
Keywords:
COXInflammationNSAIDscancersmall-molecule therapeutics

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