Nf-Kappa B, Inflammation And Pancreatic Carcinogenesis: Nf-Kappa B As A Chemoprevention Target (Review)

Pancreatic cancer is the most deadly of all gastrointestinal malignancies with near zero five-year survival. This review summarizes our understanding of the potentially important role of inflammation in cancer in general and pancreatic cancer in particular. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), a mediator of inflammatory responses, plays a significant role in carcinocenesis and is now emerging as a link between inflammation and cancer. NF-kappa B is activated in over two thirds of human pancreatic cancers; participates in early events of pancreatic carcinogenesis through its interactions with signaling pathways: and suppression of its activation restores pancreatic cell kinetics, mainly normalizing the suppressed apoptosis of pancreatic cancer. NF-kappa B is an excellent target for chemoprevention and its modulation for pancreatic cancer prevention appears promising. The next few years will likely expand our understanding of NF-kappa B biology; solidify NF-kappa B's role as a major link between chronic inflammation and pancreatic carcinogenesis; and witness the development of NF-kappa B-based approaches to pancreatic cancer prevention.