Dr. Venuprasad is a Research Scientist at Division of Cell Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, San Diego, CA Assistant Professor, Departments of Oncology, Immunology & Microbiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI Scientific Member, Tumor Microenvironment Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI

Clinical, epidemiological, and experimental evidence indicate that chronic inflammation promotes tumor growth and metastasis. Inflammatory cells found in the tumor microenvironment, particularly tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), constitute an important interface between tumor cells and the immune system. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-1b by TAMs not only trigger pro-survival signals in tumor cells, but also support their growth and metastasis.