Anti-Inflammatory Agents for Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Inflammation is closely linked to cancer, and many anti-cancer agents are also used to treat inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, chronic inflammation increases the risk for various cancers, indicating that eliminating inflammation may represent a valid strategy for cancer prevention and therapy. This article explores the relationship between inflammation and cancer with an emphasis on epidemiological evidence, summarizes the current use of anti-inflammatory agents for cancer prevention and therapy, and describes the mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effects of anti-inflammatory agents. Since monotherapy is generally insufficient for treating cancer, the combined use of anti-inflammatory agents and conventional cancer therapy is also a focal point in discussion. In addition, we also briefly describe future directions that should be explored for anti-cancer anti-inflammatory agents.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of the possible mechanisms of action for anti-inflammatory agents as chemoprotectants or as chemosensitizers to conventional cancer therapies. At the body or whole-organ level, anti-inflammatory agents can protect organs or specific sites within the body (e.g. bone marrow) against cytotoxic therapies, or can alter the uptake of cytotoxic agents within these sites. In the tumor itself, anti-inflammatory agents can allow for enhanced uptake/decreased exclusion of the cytoxic agent, or can interfere with tumor growth. At the cellular level, anti-inflammatory agents can decrease cancer cell proliferation, alter cell signaling, inhibit migration, or induce cell death.