Published online Mar 21, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i11.3174
Peer-review started: June 16, 2014
First decision: August 15, 2014
Revised: August 29, 2014
Accepted: February 12, 2015
Article in press: February 13, 2015
Published online: March 21, 2015
Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) has an established role in the regulation of innate immunity and inflammation. NF-κB is also involved in critical mechanisms connecting inflammation and cancer development. Recent investigations suggest that the NF-κB signaling cascade may be the central mediator of gastrointestinal malignancies including esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancers. This review will explore NF-κB’s function in inflammation-associated gastrointestinal malignancies, highlighting its oncogenic contribution to each step of carcinogenesis. NF-κB’s role in the inflammation-to-carcinoma sequence in gastrointestinal malignancies warrants stronger emphasis upon targeting this pathway in achieving greater therapeutic efficacy.
Core tip: Inflammation has a critical role in cancer, its metastasis and angiogenesis. One of the critical mediator is nuclear transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B. This article will be critically useful for basic scientist and clinicians in understanding the the importance of this transcription factor.