ABSTRACT
Lipopolysaccharide, an established pro-inflammatory mediator, is primarily present in the gram-negative bacterial cell wall. In physiological conditions, they are produced by the commensal gut microbes, but their expression is not enough to activate an inflammatory response. LPS signaling is primarily associated with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) signaling. Chronic inflammation by LPS may cause tumor initiation, while LPS may also mediate its metastasis. It has also been shown to modulate tumor angiogenesis. LPS has been associated with the pathophysiology of different types of cancers. TLR4, on the other hand, has been reported to be responsible for tumor suppression by its immunostimulant actions by the upregulation of cytokines involved in the suppression of tumor growth. Various therapeutic approaches against cancer have utilized LPS as an active ingredient in different forms. The chapter discusses the role of LPS in both cancer progression and as an anticancer agent and its clinical applications.
