Cancer on fire: role of inflammation in prevention and treatment

It has been established that chronic inflammation plays a critical role in chronic diseases including cancers. Inflammation regulates various steps of neoplasia and is crucial in the tumor microenvironment. In the tumor microenvironment, proinflammatory gene products mediate various undesirable pathological processes including apoptosis suppression, survival, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Among these gene products are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, interleukins, chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases, vascular epithelial growth factor, cyclooxygenases. The nuclear factor-B (NF-B) regulates the expression of these gene products and is often overexpressed in the majority of cancers. Because various factors contribute in tumorigenesis, it is logical to consider “magic bullets” for cancer prevention and treatment. The nutraceuticals derived from dietary agents including fruits, vegetables, spices, and cereals, possess immense potential. The mammoth research suggests that antiinflammatory nutraceuticals that suppress a variety of gene products important in the tumor microenvironment should have potential in both the prevention and treatment of cancer. Importantly, these nutraceuticals are safe and affordable. The present chapter discusses the molecular targets of common nutraceuticals and their role in cancer prevention and treatment.