IL-23 promotes tumour incidence and growth

A long-sought link between cancer and inflammation has been found. Inflammation triggered by interleukin-23(IL-23), which is present in many human tumours, seems to help tumours grow by protecting them from the immune system and by promoting blood vessel formation. Mice born without IL-23 are protected against cancer, as are mice in which IL-23 is blocked by antibodies, suggesting that a similar strategy might be possible against human cancers.