title: Tumors sound the alarmin(s).
abstract: Recent evidence suggests that inflammatory molecules play critical roles in the development and progression of numerous tumors. However, one specific group of inflammatory molecules whose importance has been established in host immune responses, termed alarmins, has been largely overlooked in cancer biology. The function of several alarmins-including the defensins, LL-37, and HMGB1-in tumor development, progression, or suppression is discussed here. Taken together, these studies indicate that alarmins represent potential new targets for manipulation in a variety of tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
authors.forename: Seth B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Coffelt
authors.forename: Aline B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Scandurro
mesh_terms: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D023082:Defensins / Q000378:metabolism*; D024243:HMGB1 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D054804:Cathelicidins
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D023082:Defensins; D024243:HMGB1 Protein; D054804:Cathelicidins