Cell-Type-Specific Responses to Interleukin-1 Control Microbial Invasion and Tumor-Elicited Inflammation in Colorectal Cancer.

Chronic inflammation drives the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Increased expression of interleukin (IL)-17A is associated with poor prognosis, and IL-17A blockade curbs tumor progression in preclinical models of CRC. Here we examined the impact of IL-1 signaling, a key regulator of the IL-17 pathway, in different cell types within the CRC microenvironment.

Anti-inflammatory natural product goniothalamin reduces colitis-associated and sporadic colorectal tumorigenesis.

The tumor microenvironment offers multiple targets for cancer therapy, including pro-tumorigenic inflammation. Natural compounds represent an enormous source of new anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents. We previously showed that the styryl lactone goniothalamin (GTN) has promising antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities.

Cytokines, IBD, and colitis-associated cancer.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are debilitating conditions that result in intestinal damage due to chronic inflammation. In addition, the perpetual state of inflammation predisposes individuals to the development of colitis-associated cancer. Because of the immense immune cell infiltration into colon, cytokines produced by immune cells are major players in the initiation and progression of IBD and colitis-associated cancer.

Microbiome, inflammation, and cancer.

Inflammation has long been suspected to play a major role in the pathogenesis of cancer. Only recently, however, have some mechanisms of its tumor promoting effects become known. Microbes, both commensal and pathogenic, are critical regulators of the host immune system and, ultimately, of inflammation.