Ovarian cancer and inflammation. Part 1. Pro-inflammatory cytokines

Ovarian cancer is the most threatening cause of death among gynecologic malignancies and represents the fifth leading cause of death from all cancers for women. Research reveals that ovarian cancer patients exhibit significant immune responses against the tumor. In this review of the current literature chiefly the interaction of ovarian cancer tumor cells and the immune system is discussed. There is increasingly growing evidence that pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in intricate complex of mechanisms responsible for tumorigenesis, and delicate balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines is critical for the antitumor host immune response.