Inflammation and cancer : the role of the human neutrophil
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Date
Authors
Anderson, Ronald
Tintinger, Gregory Ronald
Feldman, Charles
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Open Journals
Abstract
Chronic inflammation of both infective and non-infective origin has been implicated in the aetiology of
approximately 30% of all human epithelial malignancies. The primary carcinogens are reactive oxygen species
(ROS) derived from activated, infiltrating cells of the innate immune system, especially neutrophils, which
inflict oxidative damage on the DNA of bystander epithelial cells. The consequence is gene modifications which
initiate cellular transformation. The process of tumourigenesis is exacerbated by the sustained generation of
pro-proliferative ROS, as well as by the release of neutrophil-derived cytokines and proteases, all of which
contribute to tumour promotion and progression. It is now well recognised that, in addition to inflammation
causing cancer, many cancers per se induce an inflammatory response, with a high magnitude of neutrophil
influx being indicative of a poor prognosis. In this setting, CXC chemokines produced by tumours not only
promote neutrophil influx and hyperreactivity, but also cause autocrine activation of the proliferation of the
chemokine-producing tumour cells. These various mechanisms of inflammation-mediated tumourigenesis
are the primary focus of this review, together with a consideration of neutrophil-targeted anti-inflammatory
strategies with potential as adjunctive cancer therapy.
Description
Keywords
Angiogenesis, Chemokines, Cytokines, Hydrogen peroxide, Proteinases, Redox signalling, Reactive oxygen species
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Anderson R, Tintinger GR, Feldman C. Inflammation and cancer: The role of the human neutrophil. S Afr J Sci. 2014;110(1/2), Art. #2013-0207, 6 pages. http://dx.DOI.org/ 10.1590/sajs.2014/20130207