The role of cytokines in the epithelial cancer microenvironment.
The epithelial tumour microenvironment is a complex tissue comprising variable numbers of tumour cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and infiltrating leucocytes. Cytokines are key molecules controlling autocrine or paracrine communications within and between these individual cell types. Under some circumstances, endogenous cytokines may orchestrate host responses against the tumour, but there is increasing evidence that the cytokine network contributes to tumour growth, progression and host immuno-suppression. In this review we outline some of the actions of endogenous cytokines in epithelial tumours with particular emphasis on tumour necrosis factor alpha, TNF, related inflammatory cytokines and the chemokine group of chemoattractant cytokines.
Wilson
Julia
J
ICRF Translational Oncology Laboratory, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
Balkwill
Fran
F
D000818:Animals; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha