title: Toll-like receptors and cancer, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: It is becoming increasingly apparent that the tumor microenvironment plays an important role in the progression of cancer. The microenvironment may promote tumor cell survival and proliferation or, alternatively may induce tumor cell apoptosis. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are transmembrane proteins, expressed on immune cells and epithelial cells, that recognize exogenous and endogenous macromolecules. Once activated, they initiate signaling pathways leading to the release of cytokines and chemokines, which recruit immune cells inducing further cytokine production, the production of angiogenic mediators and growth factors, all of which may influence tumor progression. This paper examines the actions of TLRs in carcinogenesis with particular emphasis on their role in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Alison Mary
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rich
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, National University of Malaysia , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Haizal Mohd
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Hussaini
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Venkata P B
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Parachuru
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Seymour
keywords: NF-κB; TLR; oral squamous cell carcinoma; toll-like receptors