Inflammasomes as molecular mediators of inflammation and cancer: Potential role in melanoma

The inflammasome is a multi-protein complex that mediates immune responses to microbial, host, and environmental signals. When active, inflammasomes regulate caspase-1 activation and IL-1β secretion. There is a strong link between inflammation and cancer, and IL-1β is one of the major molecules involved in both of these disease processes. Here we review the role of inflammasomes in regulating IL-1β secretion, and the impact of this pathway on cancer pathogenesis, with a focus on melanoma. This represents an exciting new area of research, and could potentially result in new targets for melanoma therapeutics in the future.