title: A review of the application of inflammatory biomarkers in epidemiologic cancer research.
abstract: Inflammation is a facilitating process for multiple cancer types. It is believed to affect cancer development and progression through several etiologic pathways, including increased levels of DNA adduct formation, increased angiogenesis, and altered antiapoptotic signaling. This review highlights the application of inflammatory biomarkers in epidemiologic studies and discusses the various cellular mediators of inflammation characterizing the innate immune system response to infection and chronic insult from environmental factors. Included is a review of six classes of inflammation-related biomarkers: cytokines/chemokines, immune-related effectors, acute-phase proteins, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, prostaglandins and cyclooxygenase-related factors, and mediators such as transcription factors and growth factors. For each of these biomarkers, we provide a brief overview of the etiologic role in the inflammation response and how they have been related to cancer etiology and progression within the literature. We provide a discussion of the common techniques available for quantification of each marker, including strengths, weaknesses, and potential pitfalls. Subsequently, we highlight a few under-studied measures to characterize the inflammatory response and their potential utility in epidemiologic studies of cancer. Finally, we suggest integrative methods for future studies to apply multifaceted approaches to examine the relationship between inflammatory markers and their roles in cancer development.
authors: Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, Cancer Control Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Darren R
authors: DR
authors: Brenner
authors: Division of Preventive Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Scherer
authors: University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.
authors: Kenneth
authors: K
authors: Muir
authors: Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
authors: Joellen
authors: J
authors: Schildkraut
authors: Tisch Cancer Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Boffetta
authors: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
authors: Margaret R
authors: MR
authors: Spitz
authors: Hawaii Cancer Research Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.
authors: Loic
authors: L
authors: Le Marchand
authors: Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors: Andrew T
authors: AT
authors: Chan
authors: Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
authors: Ellen L
authors: EL
authors: Goode
authors: Division of Preventive Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany. Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington. rayjean.hung@lunenfeld.ca neli.ulrich@nct-heidelberg.de.
authors: Cornelia M
authors: CM
authors: Ulrich
authors: Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. rayjean.hung@lunenfeld.ca neli.ulrich@nct-heidelberg.de.
authors: Rayjean J
authors: RJ
authors: Hung
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018836:Inflammation Mediators