Dear Colleagues,

Inflammation is shown to be a risk factor of tumor development. Inflammation is characterized by the release of numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, increased blood vessel permeability and the migration of leukocytes. Among cytokines, IL-1β and IL-18, products of inflammasome, are the leading mediators of inflammation. Inflammasomes are the multiprotein complexes formed when pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and danger-associated molecular patters (DAMPs) are present. Inflammasomes could be activated by multiple endogenous and exogenous stimuli, such as potassium ions efflux, reactive oxygen species, viruses, bacterial toxins, etc. The active inflammasome cleaves the pro-caspase 1 to release caspase 1, a proteolytic enzyme. Caspase 1 subsequently cleaves pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18; therefore, the active forms of these cytokines are produced.

By releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammasomes could contribute to the initiation and maintenance of local inflammation. This inflammatory milieu could support cell proliferation, alter transcriptional activity and promote angiogenesis. Therefore, the regulation of inflammasome activity could be a novel approach for cancer treatment. We invite authors to submit the original research papers, case reports, and review articles with the following potential list of topics:

1. The molecular regulation of inflammasome activation;
2. The role of inflammasomes in cancer pathogenesis;
3. Molecular mechanisms of novel therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment targeting inflammasomes;
4. The mechanistic manipulation of inflammasome activity that aims to treat cancer and other diseases;
5. Role of PAMPS, DAMPS and PRRs in immune responses to cancer.

Dr. Svetlana F. Khaiboullina
Dr. Gülçin Tezcan
Guest Editors

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• inflammation
• molecular recognition
• inflammasome role in cancer 
• inflammasome role in diseases 
• cancer treatment targeting inflammasome
• inflammasome activity manipulation