© Beth Ponticello
One problem with the current war on cancer is that much of it focuses on destroying the malignant cell itself while paying little attention to some of cancer's allies that are more prone to attack.
Cancer undoubtedly starts and ends with the malignant cell, and through tremendous efforts, we have identified many of the molecular and cellular attributes that define such cells. Genetic changes that lead to activation of oncogenes and/or inactivation of tumor suppressors result in aberrant control of cell proliferation and death, endowing the malignant cell with migratory and invasive properties. These changes, however, represent only the initial spark that ignites cancer's fire. Without fuel a fire cannot spread, and in cancer's case, inflammation feeds the blaze. Current cancer therapies that induce necrosis and inflammation may further fan the flames.
© 2005 Nature Publishing Group
Two pathways lead to NF-κB activation. In the classical pathway, ...
