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Wang Y, Pei P, Yang K, Guo L, Li Y. Copper in colorectal cancer: From copper-related mechanisms to clinical cancer therapies. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1724. [PMID: 38804588 PMCID: PMC11131360 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Copper, a trace element and vital cofactor, plays a crucial role in the maintenance of biological functions. Recent evidence has established significant correlations between copper levels, cancer development and metastasis. The strong redox-active properties of copper offer both benefits and disadvantages to cancer cells. The intestinal tract, which is primarily responsible for copper uptake and regulation, may suffer from an imbalance in copper homeostasis. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most prevalent primary cancer of the intestinal tract and is an aggressive malignant disease with limited therapeutic options. Current research is primarily focused on the relationship between copper and CRC. Innovative concepts, such as cuproplasia and cuproptosis, are being explored to understand copper-related cellular proliferation and death. Cuproplasia is the regulation of cell proliferation that is mediated by both enzymatic and nonenzymatic copper-modulated activities. Whereas, cuproptosis refers to cell death induced by excess copper via promoting the abnormal oligomerisation of lipoylated proteins within the tricarboxylic acid cycle, as well as by diminishing the levels of iron-sulphur cluster proteins. A comprehensive understanding of copper-related cellular proliferation and death mechanisms offers new avenues for CRC treatment. In this review, we summarise the evolving molecular mechanisms, ranging from abnormal intracellular copper concentrations to the copper-related proteins that are being discovered, and discuss the role of copper in the pathogenesis, progression and potential therapies for CRC. Understanding the relationship between copper and CRC will help provide a comprehensive theoretical foundation for innovative treatment strategies in CRC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Wang
- Department of PathologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina
- Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Pei Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and ProtectionSchool of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD‐X)Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education InstitutionsSoochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsuChina
| | - Kai Yang
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and ProtectionSchool of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD‐X)Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education InstitutionsSoochow UniversitySuzhouJiangsuChina
| | - Lingchuan Guo
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of PathologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina
- Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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Springer C, Humayun D, Skouta R. Cuproptosis: Unraveling the Mechanisms of Copper-Induced Cell Death and Its Implication in Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:647. [PMID: 38339398 PMCID: PMC10854864 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Copper, an essential element for various biological processes, demands precise regulation to avert detrimental health effects and potential cell toxicity. This paper explores the mechanisms of copper-induced cell death, known as cuproptosis, and its potential health and disease implications, including cancer therapy. Copper ionophores, such as elesclomol and disulfiram, increase intracellular copper levels. This elevation triggers oxidative stress and subsequent cell death, offering potential implications in cancer therapy. Additionally, copper ionophores disrupt mitochondrial respiration and protein lipoylation, further contributing to copper toxicity and cell death. Potential targets and biomarkers are identified, as copper can be targeted to those proteins to trigger cuproptosis. The role of copper in different cancers is discussed to understand targeted cancer therapies using copper nanomaterials, copper ionophores, and copper chelators. Furthermore, the role of copper is explored through diseases such as Wilson and Menkes disease to understand the physiological mechanisms of copper. Exploring cuproptosis presents an opportunity to improve treatments for copper-related disorders and various cancers, with the potential to bring significant advancements to modern medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Springer
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA;
| | - Danish Humayun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA;
| | - Rachid Skouta
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA;
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA;
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Liu WQ, Lin WR, Yan L, Xu WH, Yang J. Copper homeostasis and cuproptosis in cancer immunity and therapy. Immunol Rev 2024; 321:211-227. [PMID: 37715546 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Copper is an essential nutrient for maintaining enzyme activity and transcription factor function. Excess copper results in the aggregation of lipoylated dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT), which correlates to the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, resulting in proteotoxic stress and eliciting a novel cell death modality: cuproptosis. Cuproptosis exerts an indispensable role in cancer progression, which is considered a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Cancer immunotherapy has gained extensive attention owing to breakthroughs in immune checkpoint blockade; furthermore, cuproptosis is strongly connected to the modulation of antitumor immunity. Thus, a thorough recognition concerning the mechanisms involved in the modulation of copper metabolism and cuproptosis may facilitate improvement in cancer management. This review outlines the cellular and molecular mechanisms and characteristics of cuproptosis and the links of the novel regulated cell death modality with human cancers. We also review the current knowledge on the complex effects of cuproptosis on antitumor immunity and immune response. Furthermore, potential agents that elicit cuproptosis pathways are summarized. Lastly, we discuss the influence of cuproptosis induction on the tumor microenvironment as well as the challenges of adding cuproptosis regulators to therapeutic strategies beyond traditional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Qing Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wan-Rong Lin
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Li Yan
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wen-Hao Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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Wang Y, Chen Y, Zhang J, Yang Y, Fleishman JS, Wang Y, Wang J, Chen J, Li Y, Wang H. Cuproptosis: A novel therapeutic target for overcoming cancer drug resistance. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 72:101018. [PMID: 37979442 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Cuproptosis is a newly identified form of cell death driven by copper. Recently, the role of copper and copper triggered cell death in the pathogenesis of cancers have attracted attentions. Cuproptosis has garnered enormous interest in cancer research communities because of its great potential for cancer therapy. Copper-based treatment exerts an inhibiting role in tumor growth and may open the door for the treatment of chemotherapy-insensitive tumors. In this review, we provide a critical analysis on copper homeostasis and the role of copper dysregulation in the development and progression of cancers. Then the core molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis and its role in cancer is discussed, followed by summarizing the current understanding of copper-based agents (copper chelators, copper ionophores, and copper complexes-based dynamic therapy) for cancer treatment. Additionally, we summarize the emerging data on copper complexes-based agents and copper ionophores to subdue tumor chemotherapy resistance in different types of cancers. We also review the small-molecule compounds and nanoparticles (NPs) that may kill cancer cells by inducing cuproptosis, which will shed new light on the development of anticancer drugs through inducing cuproptosis in the future. Finally, the important concepts and pressing questions of cuproptosis in future research that should be focused on were discussed. This review article suggests that targeting cuproptosis could be a novel antitumor therapy and treatment strategy to overcome cancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100049, PR China.
| | - Yongming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Junjing Zhang
- Department of Hepato-Biliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, Huhhot First Hospital, Huhhot 010030, PR China
| | - Yihui Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Joshua S Fleishman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Disease Research & Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, PR China
| | - Jinhua Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Jichao Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Yuanfang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Hongquan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, PR China.
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