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Zeng M, Wu B, Wei W, Jiang Z, Li P, Quan Y, Hu X. Disulfiram: A novel repurposed drug for cancer therapy. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:1389-1398. [PMID: 38275022 PMCID: PMC11188872 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Cancer is a major global health issue. Effective therapeutic strategies can prolong patients' survival and reduce the costs of treatment. Drug repurposing, which identifies new therapeutic uses for approved drugs, is a promising approach with the advantages of reducing research costs, shortening development time, and increasing efficiency and safety. Disulfiram (DSF), a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug used to treat chronic alcoholism, has a great potential as an anticancer drug by targeting diverse human malignancies. Several studies show the antitumor effects of DSF, particularly the combination of DSF and copper (DSF/Cu), on a wide range of cancers such as glioblastoma (GBM), breast cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and melanoma. In this review, we summarize the antitumor mechanisms of DSF/Cu, including induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and various cell death signaling pathways, and inhibition of proteasome activity, as well as inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. Furthermore, we highlight the ability of DSF/Cu to target cancer stem cells (CSCs), which provides a new approach to prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis. Strikingly, DSF/Cu inhibits several molecular targets associated with drug resistance, and therefore it is becoming a novel option to increase the sensitivity of chemo-resistant and radio-resistant patients. Studies of DSF/Cu may shed light on its improved application to clinical tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Baibei Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Critical Human Diseases Prevention of Hunan Province Department of Education, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Wenjie Wei
- Institute of Biochemistry of Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Zihan Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Peiqiang Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Yuanting Quan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Xiaobo Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
- The Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Critical Human Diseases Prevention of Hunan Province Department of Education, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
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Conforti RA, Delsouc MB, Zorychta E, Telleria CM, Casais M. Copper in Gynecological Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17578. [PMID: 38139406 PMCID: PMC10743751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417578] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for the correct development of eukaryotic organisms. This metal plays a key role in many cellular and physiological activities, including enzymatic activity, oxygen transport, and cell signaling. Although the redox activity of Cu is crucial for enzymatic reactions, this property also makes it potentially toxic when found at high levels. Due to this dual action of Cu, highly regulated mechanisms are necessary to prevent both the deficiency and the accumulation of this metal since its dyshomeostasis may favor the development of multiple diseases, such as Menkes' and Wilson's diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. As the relationship between Cu and cancer has been the most studied, we analyze how this metal can affect three fundamental processes for tumor progression: cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Gynecological diseases are characterized by high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality, depending on the case, and mainly include benign and malignant tumors. The cellular processes that promote their progression are affected by Cu, and the mechanisms that occur may be similar. We analyze the crosstalk between Cu deregulation and gynecological diseases, focusing on therapeutic strategies derived from this metal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío A. Conforti
- Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis (UNSL), Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis (IMIBIO-SL-CONICET), San Luis CP D5700HHW, Argentina; (R.A.C.); (M.B.D.)
| | - María B. Delsouc
- Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis (UNSL), Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis (IMIBIO-SL-CONICET), San Luis CP D5700HHW, Argentina; (R.A.C.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Edith Zorychta
- Experimental Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada;
| | - Carlos M. Telleria
- Experimental Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada;
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Marilina Casais
- Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis (UNSL), Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis (IMIBIO-SL-CONICET), San Luis CP D5700HHW, Argentina; (R.A.C.); (M.B.D.)
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3
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Wang N, Zhu D, Liu Y, Wu J, Wang M, Jin S, Fu F, Li B, Ji H, Du C, Zheng Z. NPLOC4 is a potential target and a poor prognostic signature in lung squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20430. [PMID: 37993584 PMCID: PMC10665339 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47782-6] [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: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Few prognostic biomarkers exist for lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), which has a poor five-year survival rate. Using bioinformatics, this study evaluated NPLOC4 as a prognostic marker for patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. Shorter survival periods and tumor growth were linked to high NPLOC4 expression.Disulfiram (DSF) combined with copper (Cu) targets NPLOC4 to achieve antitumor effects in lung squamous cell carcinoma. Thus, we investigated the effects of DSF with Cu in LUSC. Gene-set enrichment analysis identified ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis as the NPLOC4-associated mechanism influencing LUSC prognosis. In SK-MES-1 cell lines, DSF + Cu increased K48-linked ubiquitinated protein expression and apoptosis. This study identified NPLOC4 as a prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for LUSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naixue Wang
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110011, China
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, China
| | - Dantong Zhu
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110011, China
| | - Yao Liu
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Jingran Wu
- Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116085, China
| | - Meiling Wang
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110011, China
| | - Shanxiu Jin
- Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116085, China
| | - Fangwei Fu
- Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Baolei Li
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, China
| | - Hongjuan Ji
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, China
| | - Cheng Du
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110011, China.
| | - Zhendong Zheng
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110011, China.
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Slika H, Alimonti P, Raj D, Caraway C, Alomari S, Jackson EM, Tyler B. The Neurodevelopmental and Molecular Landscape of Medulloblastoma Subgroups: Current Targets and the Potential for Combined Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3889. [PMID: 37568705 PMCID: PMC10417410 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153889] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Despite the use of multiple therapeutic approaches consisting of surgical resection, craniospinal irradiation, and multiagent chemotherapy, the prognosis of many patients with medulloblastoma remains dismal. Additionally, the high doses of radiation and the chemotherapeutic agents used are associated with significant short- and long-term complications and adverse effects, most notably neurocognitive delay. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development and clinical integration of targeted treatment regimens with greater efficacy and superior safety profiles. Since the adoption of the molecular-based classification of medulloblastoma into wingless (WNT) activated, sonic hedgehog (SHH) activated, group 3, and group 4, research efforts have been directed towards unraveling the genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiles of each subtype. This review aims to delineate the progress that has been made in characterizing the neurodevelopmental and molecular features of each medulloblastoma subtype. It further delves into the implications that these characteristics have on the development of subgroup-specific targeted therapeutic agents. Furthermore, it highlights potential future avenues for combining multiple agents or strategies in order to obtain augmented effects and evade the development of treatment resistance in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Slika
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon;
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Paolo Alimonti
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Divyaansh Raj
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Chad Caraway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Safwan Alomari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Eric M. Jackson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
| | - Betty Tyler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (D.R.); (C.C.); (S.A.); (E.M.J.)
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Tang X, Yan Z, Miao Y, Ha W, Li Z, Yang L, Mi D. Copper in cancer: from limiting nutrient to therapeutic target. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1209156. [PMID: 37427098 PMCID: PMC10327296 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1209156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
As an essential nutrient, copper's redox properties are both beneficial and toxic to cells. Therefore, leveraging the characteristics of copper-dependent diseases or using copper toxicity to treat copper-sensitive diseases may offer new strategies for specific disease treatments. In particular, copper concentration is typically higher in cancer cells, making copper a critical limiting nutrient for cancer cell growth and proliferation. Hence, intervening in copper metabolism specific to cancer cells may become a potential tumor treatment strategy, directly impacting tumor growth and metastasis. In this review, we discuss the metabolism of copper in the body and summarize research progress on the role of copper in promoting tumor cell growth or inducing programmed cell death in tumor cells. Additionally, we elucidate the role of copper-related drugs in cancer treatment, intending to provide new perspectives for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Tang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The Second Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Zaihua Yan
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The Second Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Yandong Miao
- Department of Oncology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, The Second Clinical Medical College of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Wuhua Ha
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lixia Yang
- Gansu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Denghai Mi
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Gansu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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Guan D, Zhao L, Shi X, Ma X, Chen Z. Copper in cancer: From pathogenesis to therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114791. [PMID: 37105071 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the basic trace elements for the structure and metabolism of human tissue is copper. However, as a heavy metal, excessive intake or abnormal accumulation of copper in the body can cause inevitable damage to the organism because copper can result in direct injury to various cell components or disruption of the redox balance, eventually leading to cell death. Interestingly, a growing body of research reports that diverse cancers have raised serum and tumor copper levels. Tumor cells depend on more copper for their metabolism than normal cells, and a decrease in copper or copper overload can have a detrimental effect on tumor cells. New modalities for identifying and characterizing copper-dependent signals offer translational opportunities for tumor therapy, but their mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, this article summarizes what we currently know about the correlation between copper and cancer and describes the characteristics of copper metabolism in tumor cells and the prospective application of copper-derived therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Defeng Guan
- The First Clinical Medical School of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; Gansu key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Embryology, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lihui Zhao
- The First Clinical Medical School of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; Gansu key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Embryology, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Shi
- The First Clinical Medical School of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; Gansu key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Embryology, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Ma
- The First Clinical Medical School of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; Gansu key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Embryology, Lanzhou, China.
| | - Zhou Chen
- The First Clinical Medical School of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
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Jiapaer Z, Zhang L, Ma W, Liu H, Li C, Huang W, Shao S. Disulfiram-loaded hollow copper sulfide nanoparticles show anti-tumor effects in preclinical models of colorectal cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 635:291-298. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Oliveri V. Selective Targeting of Cancer Cells by Copper Ionophores: An Overview. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:841814. [PMID: 35309510 PMCID: PMC8931543 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.841814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional cancer therapies suffer from severe off-target effects because most of them target critical facets of cells that are generally shared by all rapidly proliferating cells. The development of new therapeutic agents should aim to increase selectivity and therefore reduce side effects. In addition, these agents should overcome cancer cell resistance and target cancer stem cells. Some copper ionophores have shown promise in this direction thanks to an intrinsic selectivity in preferentially inducing cuproptosis of cancer cells compared to normal cells. Here, Cu ionophores are discussed with a focus on selectivity towards cancer cells and on the mechanisms responsible for this selectivity. The proposed strategies, to further improve the targeting of cancer cells by copper ionophores, are also reported.
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