[PDF][PDF] Smoldering and polarized inflammation in the initiation and promotion of malignant disease

F Balkwill, KA Charles, A Mantovani - Cancer cell, 2005 - cell.com
F Balkwill, KA Charles, A Mantovani
Cancer cell, 2005cell.com
Inflammation is a crucial function of the innate immune system that protects against
pathogens and initiates specific immunity. Acute inflammation is a rapid and self-limiting
process: chemical mediators are induced in a tightly regulated sequence, and immune cells
move in and out of the affected area, destroying infectious agents, repairing damaged tissue,
and initiating a specific and long-term response to the pathogen. However, acute
inflammation does not always resolve. Many of the diseases of middle and old age may be …
Inflammation is a crucial function of the innate immune system that protects against pathogens and initiates specific immunity. Acute inflammation is a rapid and self-limiting process: chemical mediators are induced in a tightly regulated sequence, and immune cells move in and out of the affected area, destroying infectious agents, repairing damaged tissue, and initiating a specific and long-term response to the pathogen. However, acute inflammation does not always resolve. Many of the diseases of middle and old age may be driven, at least in part, by chronic,“smoldering,” and often subclinical inflammation. Here we describe the latest evidence for the involvement of inflammation in cancer, and discuss implications for prevention and therapy. Several lines of evidence, including general or cell-specific gene inactivation and population-based studies, are consistent with the view that inflammation plays an important role in malignant progression. These are listed in Table 1.
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