Role of inflammation in the carcinogenesis

Kopper László (1), Tímár József (2)
(1) Semmelweis Egyetem, 1. Sz. Patológiai és Kísérleti Rákkutató Intézet, Budapest
(2) Semmelweis Egyetem, 2. Sz. Patológiai Intézet, Budapest

Chronic inflammation is an important promoter of the carcinogenesis of several cancer types and also an important contributor to mutagenicity beside the known carcinogens. Beside the continous regeneration of the affected epithelia chronic inflammation provide a special microenvironment intra and extracellular environment which support malignant transformation and block emerging immune reactions. On the other hand, cancer is generating chronic inflammation itself independent from its role in the carcinogenic process. It is due to cancer necrosis as well as to the production of inflammatory cytokines. Cancer-induced inflammatory reactions block antitumoral immune responses and continous monitoring of this process provide valuable clinical parameter of cancer progression.