Role of C-Reactive Protein in Cancer

Abstract

Low-grade chronic inflammation is a proposed mechanism linking excess body weight with cancer development. Adipocytes, particularly visceral fat cells, regularly release pro-inflammatory cytokines likely due to hypoxic and necrotic conditions in conglomerated fat tissue in obese individuals. C-reactive protein (CRP), a long-established acute-phase reactant, is triggered primarily by the cytokine Interleukin-6, as part of the innate immune system apparatus to resolve acute infection, injury, and inflammation. Some but not all epidemiologic studies suggest that low-grade circulating CRP levels predict cancer development, particularly for lung and colon cancers. Evidence as a prognostic factor, however, is more convincing, but whether or not elevated CRP reflects inflammation associated with large, aggressive neoplasms or solely serves as a general marker of mortality risk needs clarification.