Inflammation, cancer and chemoresistance: taking advantage of the toll-like receptor signaling pathway.

The association between chronic inflammation and cancer has long been observed. Furthermore, NF-kappaB activation and the subsequent production of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and antiapoptotic proteins has been found to be involved in cancer progression and chemoresistance. However, the signals inducing NF-kappaB in cancer cells are still not well understood. Here, we reviewed the association between chronic inflammation and cancer, the role of NF-kappaB and its inhibitors as potential anticancer drugs, and Toll-like receptors as possible signal initiators for NF-kappaB activation and inflammation-induced carcinogenesis and chemoresistance. Furthermore, we propose that, the stimulation of Toll-like receptors by microbial components and/or endogenous ligands may represent the initial signal promoting a proinflammatory environment that will enhance tumor growth and chemoresistance.