Modulating inflammation for cancer therapy

A link between chronic inflammation and development of tumors is well established. Moreover, it has become evident that tumorigenesis is not a cell autonomous disease, and an inflammatory microenvironment is a prerequisite of basically all tumors, including those that emerge in the absence of overt inflammation. This knowledge has led to the development of anti-inflammatory concepts to treat and prevent cancer. In contrast, immunotherapies, in particular checkpoint inhibitors, representing the most significant progress in the therapy of several malignancies depend on the presence of a pro-inflammatory “hot” environment. Here, we discuss pro- and anti-inflammatory concepts for the treatment of cancer.