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Yan Y, Li S, Su L, Tang X, Chen X, Gu X, Yang G, Chi H, Huang S. Mitochondrial inhibitors: a new horizon in breast cancer therapy. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1421905. [PMID: 39027328 PMCID: PMC11254633 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1421905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, due to resistance to standard therapies such as endocrine therapy, anti-HER2 therapy and chemotherapy, continues to pose a major health challenge. A growing body of research emphasizes the heterogeneity and plasticity of metabolism in breast cancer. Because differences in subtypes exhibit a bias toward metabolic pathways, targeting mitochondrial inhibitors shows great potential as stand-alone or adjuvant cancer therapies. Multiple therapeutic candidates are currently in various stages of preclinical studies and clinical openings. However, specific inhibitors have been shown to face multiple challenges (e.g., single metabolic therapies, mitochondrial structure and enzymes, etc.), and combining with standard therapies or targeting multiple metabolic pathways may be necessary. In this paper, we review the critical role of mitochondrial metabolic functions, including oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and fatty acid and amino acid metabolism, in metabolic reprogramming of breast cancer cells. In addition, we outline the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction on metabolic pathways in different subtypes of breast cancer and mitochondrial inhibitors targeting different metabolic pathways, aiming to provide additional ideas for the development of mitochondrial inhibitors and to improve the efficacy of existing therapies for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Yan
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Sijie Li
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lanqian Su
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xinrui Tang
- Paediatrics Department, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiang Gu
- Biology Department, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Guanhu Yang
- Department of Specialty Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Shangke Huang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Malla R, Kundrapu DB, Bhamidipati P, Nagaraju GP, Muniraj N. Unleashing the Power of Yes-Associated Protein in Ferroptosis and Drug Resistance in Breast Cancer, with a Special Focus on Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5728. [PMID: 38136274 PMCID: PMC10741587 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The YAP protein is a critical oncogenic mediator within the Hippo signaling pathway and has been implicated in various cancer types. In breast cancer, it frequently becomes activated, thereby contributing to developing drug-resistance mechanisms. Recent studies have underscored the intricate interplay between YAP and ferroptosis within the breast tumor microenvironment. YAP exerts a negative regulatory effect on ferroptosis, promoting cancer cell survival and drug resistance. This review offers a concise summary of the current understanding surrounding the interplay between the YAP pathway, ferroptosis, and drug-resistance mechanisms in both bulk tumor cells and cancer stem cells. We also explore the potential of natural compounds alone or in combination with anticancer therapies for targeting the YAP pathway in treating drug-resistant breast cancer. This approach holds the promise of enhancing the effectiveness of current treatments and paving the way for developing novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- RamaRao Malla
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India; (D.B.K.); (P.B.)
| | - Durga Bhavani Kundrapu
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India; (D.B.K.); (P.B.)
| | - Priyamvada Bhamidipati
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India; (D.B.K.); (P.B.)
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Nethaji Muniraj
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Hospital, 111 Michigan Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA;
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Lee KY, Yang CC, Shueng PW, Wu SM, Chen CH, Chao YC, Chang YC, Han CL, Chuang HC, Lee CC, Lin CW. Downregulation of TAZ elicits a mitochondrial redox imbalance and ferroptosis in lung epithelial cells exposed to diesel exhaust particles. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 266:115555. [PMID: 37832483 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction was reported to be involved in the development of lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, molecular regulation underlying metabolic disorders in the airway epithelia exposed to air pollution remains unclear. In the present study, lung bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B and alveolar epithelial A549 cells were treated with diesel exhaust particles (DEPs), the primary representative of ambient particle matter. This treatment elicited cell death accompanied by induction of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and ferroptosis. Lipidomics analyses revealed that DEPs increased glycerophospholipid contents. Accordingly, DEPs upregulated expression of the electron transport chain (ETC) complex and induced mitochondrial ROS production. Mechanistically, DEP exposure downregulated the Hippo transducer transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), which was further identified to be crucial for the ferroptosis-associated antioxidant system, including glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), the glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and glutathione-disulfide reductase (GSR). Moreover, immunohistochemistry confirmed downregulation of GPX4 and upregulation of lipid peroxidation in the bronchial epithelium of COPD patients and Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to air pollution. Finally, proteomics analyses confirmed alterations of ETC-related proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage from COPD patients compared to healthy subjects. Together, our study discovered that involvement of mitochondrial redox dysregulation plays a vital role in pulmonary epithelial cell destruction after exposure to air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Yun Lee
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chieh Yang
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacy, Chia-Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Wei Shueng
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Min Wu
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsuan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Chao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chu Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Li Han
- Master Program in Clinical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Chi Chuang
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ching Lee
- Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Food Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cheng-Wei Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Xie WJ, Li J. Obesity and cancer stem cells: Roles in cancer initiation, progression and therapy resistance. World J Stem Cells 2023; 15:120-135. [PMID: 37181008 PMCID: PMC10173809 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v15.i4.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity, the global pandemic since industrialization, is the number one lifestyle-related risk factor for premature death, which increases the incidence and mortality of various diseases and conditions, including cancer. In recent years, the theory of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which have the capacity for self-renewal, metastasis and treatment resistance, has been bolstered by increasing evidence. However, research on how obesity affects CSCs to facilitate cancer initiation, progression and therapy resistance is still in its infancy, although evidence has already begun to accumulate. Regarding the ever-increasing burden of obesity and obesity-related cancer, it is pertinent to summarize evidence about the effects of obesity on CSCs, as elucidating these effects will contribute to the improvement in the management of obesity-related cancers. In this review, we discuss the association between obesity and CSCs, with a particular focus on how obesity promotes cancer initiation, progression and therapy resistance through CSCs and the mechanisms underlying these effects. In addition, the prospect of preventing cancer and targeting the mechanisms linking obesity and CSCs to reduce cancer risk or to improve the survival of patients with cancer is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jie Xie
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Hospital of Mianyang, Sichuan Mental Health Center, Mianyang 621000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Hospital of Mianyang, Sichuan Mental Health Center, Mianyang 621000, Sichuan Province, China
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Zhang L, Chen W, Liu S, Chen C. Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:552-570. [PMID: 36632469 PMCID: PMC9830502 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.76187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential roles of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) in tumor initiation and recurrence have been recognized for many decades. Due to their strong capacity for self-renewal and differentiation, BCSCs are the major reasons for poor clinical outcomes and low therapeutic response. Several hypotheses on the origin of cancer stem cells have been proposed, including critical gene mutations in stem cells, dedifferentiation of somatic cells, and cell plasticity remodeling by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, the tumor microenvironment, including cellular components and cytokines, modulates the self-renewal and therapeutic resistance of BCSCs. Small molecules, antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting BCSCs have been developed, and their applications in combination with conventional therapies are undergoing clinical trials. In this review, we focus on the features of BCSCs, emphasize the major factors and tumor environment that regulate the stemness of BCSCs, and discuss potential BCSC-targeting therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai paracrine Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College; Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wenmin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650201, China.,Kunming College of Life Sciences, the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Suling Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai paracrine Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College; Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Ceshi Chen, E-mail: or Suling Liu, E-mail:
| | - Ceshi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650201, China.,Academy of Biomedical Engineering, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China.,The Third Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Ceshi Chen, E-mail: or Suling Liu, E-mail:
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Wu H, Huang D, Zhou H, Sima X, Wu Z, Sun Y, Wang L, Ruan Y, Wu Q, Wu F, She T, Chu Y, Huang Q, Ning Z, Zhang H. Metformin: A promising drug for human cancers. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:204. [PMID: 35720480 PMCID: PMC9178677 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-molecule chemical drugs are of great significance for tumor-targeted and individualized therapies. However, the development of new small-molecule drugs, from basic experimental research and clinical trials to final application in clinical practice, is a long process that has a high cost. It takes at least 5 years for most drugs to be developed in the laboratory to prove their effectiveness and safety. Compared with the development of new drugs, repurposing traditional non-tumor drugs can be a shortcut. Metformin is a good model for a new use of an old drug. In recent years, the antitumor efficacy of metformin has attracted much attention. Epidemiological data and in vivo, and in vitro experiments have shown that metformin can reduce the incidence of cancer in patients with diabetes and has a strong antagonistic effect on metabolism-related tumors. Recent studies have shown that metformin can induce autophagy in esophageal cancer cells, mainly by inhibiting inflammatory signaling pathways. In recent years, studies have shown that the antitumor functions and mechanisms of metformin are multifaceted. The present study aims to review the application of metformin in tumor prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongnian Wu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medicine School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Dan Huang
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Enshi State Central Hospital, Enshi, Hubei 445099, P.R. China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medicine School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Xueqin Sima
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Zhe Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Yanling Sun
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Long Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Basic Medicine School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Ying Ruan
- Department of Dermatology, Clinical Medicine School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Qian Wu
- Nursing School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Feng Wu
- Stomatology and Optometry School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Tonghui She
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medicine School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Ying Chu
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Enshi State Central Hospital, Enshi, Hubei 445099, P.R. China
| | - Qizhi Huang
- Department of Clinical Lab, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Zhifeng Ning
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medicine School, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei 437100, P.R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, Department of Pathology, Jinan University Medical College, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
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