Is complement good or bad for cancer patients? A new perspective on an old dilemma.
Several studies of human cancers have established that chronic and insidious inflammation promotes the process of carcinogenesis and exacerbates the growth of existing tumors. Conversely, acute inflammation seems to have the opposite effect. Recent discoveries indicate that this dualism in the role of inflammation in cancer is mirrored by the effects of the complement system on this disease process. Previous studies have suggested that complement proteins can contribute to the immune surveillance of malignant tumors. However, a very recent study has indicated that complement proteins can also promote tumor growth. Here, we describe our current understanding of the role of complement in tumor development and progression.
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA.
Maciej M
MM
Markiewski
John D
JD
Lambris
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D003169:Complement Inactivator Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007157:Immunologic Surveillance; D007249:Inflammation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012307:Risk Factors; D019139:Tumor Escape
D003169:Complement Inactivator Proteins; D003165:Complement System Proteins