NLRPs and tumor: research progress from molecular mechanisms to clinical applications.

The NOD-like receptor protein (NLRP) family, a vital part of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) superfamily, plays a key role in regulating apoptosis, triggering inflammatory responses, and mediating innate immunity. Recently, NLRPs have become important in maintaining immune balance because they detect disturbances inside and outside cells, guiding the formation of functional inflammasomes or serving as negative regulators in immune signaling pathways. Inflammasome assembly is a core process through which NLRPs carry out their biological functions, mainly by activating caspase-1. This activation leads to the maturation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), which are essential for controlling anti-tumor immunity. This review thoroughly examines the diverse roles of NLRPs in various cancer types, outlines the complex regulatory networks that control their activity, and discusses the potential clinical implications of these molecular mechanisms, providing insights for therapeutic development.