Inflammatory storms of gastric cancer progression and anti-inflammatory intervention

Globally, gastric cancer (GC) is a very common and deadly malignant tumor. Inflammatory storms in the stomach trigger gastric carcinogenesis, with bacterial infection, obesity, lifestyle, and bile reflux playing crucial roles in GC development and treatment. Modern molecular biology has revealed the vital roles of inflammation-associated signaling pathways, including nuclear factor- κ B (NF- κ B), interleukin-11/janus kinase 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-11/JAK2/STAT3), cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING), and cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), in GC development and treatment. Furthermore, effective anti-inflammatory strategies can delay or prevent GC onset and improve the efficacy of conventional therapeutics. Nevertheless, the GC risk factors, signaling pathways, and crosstalk between inflammation in GC are vaguely understood. Herein, we reviewed the pathogenic factors and internal mechanisms of GC development from an inflammatory perspective and presented key promising developments in anti-inflammatory strategies, emphasizing on traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients for GC. These advances provide insights into a theoretical basis for the application of anti-inflammatory strategies for GC prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.