Inflammation in the Genesis and Perpetuation of Cancer: Summary and Recommendations from a National Cancer Institute-sponsored Meeting

The Inflammation and Cancer Think Tank Meeting was organized by the National Cancer Institute with the purpose of identifying research advances, gaps, and opportunities for the study and clinical application of the role of inflammation on tumorigenesis. The format of this meeting consisted of brief presentations that focused on concepts, with extensive discussion periods to allow participants to identify issues and barriers limiting progress in this area. The strong relationship between inflammation and cancer in the gastrointestinal tract prompted several presentations that were focused on carcinogenesis within this organ system; however, many of the same immune mediators that influence esophageal, gastric, and colorectal carcinoma were also shown to influence inflammation-related malignancies at other anatomic sites. This article summarizes the findings of this Think Tank Meeting, which highlight the intimate relationship between malignant cells and their inflammatory microenvironment and specifically address opportunities to manipulate the host immune response and therefore intervene at different points along the tumorigenic cascade.