Cuproptosis: emerging biomarkers and potential therapeutics in cancers

Pharmacologically Targeting Ferroptosis and Cuproptosis in Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a deadly pediatric cancer that originates from the neural crest and frequently develops in the abdomen or adrenal gland. Although multiple approaches, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, are recommended for treating neuroblastoma, the tumor will eventually develop resistance, leading to treatment failure and cancer relapse. Therefore, a firm understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic resistance is vital for the development of new effective therapies. Recent research suggests that cancer-specific modifications to multiple subtypes of nonapoptotic regulated cell death (RCD), such as ferroptosis and cuproptosis, contribute to therapeutic resistance in neuroblastoma. Targeting these specific types of RCD may be viable novel targets for future drug discovery in the treatment of neuroblastoma. In this review, we summarize the core mechanisms by which the inability to properly execute ferroptosis and cuproptosis can enhance the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma. Therefore, we focus on emerging therapeutic compounds that can induce ferroptosis or cuproptosis, delineating their beneficial pharmacodynamic effects in neuroblastoma treatment. Cumulatively, we suggest that the pharmacological stimulation of ferroptosis and ferroptosis may be a novel and therapeutically viable strategy to target neuroblastoma.

Unveiling Cuproptosis: Mechanistic insights, roles, and leading advances in oncology

Copper, a vital micronutrient, performs essential functions in numerous biological settings. Its disrupted metabolism is implicated in both the initiation of tumors and therapeutic interventions for cancer, underscoring the critical necessity of preserving copper homeostasis. Cuproptosis, a regulated cell death (RCD) modulated by copper, is activated in response to elevated copper concentrations, prompting an investigation into its implication in oncogenesis. Within this review, an exploration is conducted into copper dynamics and homeostasis maintenance within cells. Furthermore, it delves into the mechanisms underlying cuproptosis and its interplay with signaling pathways implicated in cancer. The potential synergy between cuproptosis and ferroptosis and its impact on tumor immunomodulation is discussed. Additionally, promising avenues for addressing cuproptosis in cancer involve assessing the utility of copper chelators and ionophores. By addressing pressing questions surrounding cuproptosis and outlining its pivotal role in cancer pathogenesis and treatment, this review propounds targeting cuproptosis as a promising frontier in antitumor therapy, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment strategies.

The functions of cuproptosis in gastric cancer: therapy, diagnosis, prognosis

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most prevalent type of cancer in the whole world. Cuproptosis is discovered as a programmed cell death pathway and connected to cells' growth and death, as well as tumorigenesis. The relationship between cuproptosis and GC is still elusive. Two aspects of this study will elaborate the relationship between cuproptosis and immunotherapy as well as biomarkers in GC. Notably, the herein review is intended to highlight what has been accomplished regarding the cuproptosis for the diagnosis, immunotherapy, and prognosis in GC. The aim of this study is to offer a potential directions and the strategies for future research regarding cuproptosis inside the GC.

Forms of Non-Apoptotic Cell Death and Their Role in Gliomas-Presentation of the Current State of Knowledge

In addition to necrosis and apoptosis, the two forms of cell death that have been known for many decades, other non-apoptotic forms of cell death have been discovered, many of which also play a role in tumors. Starting with the description of autophagy more than 60 years ago, newer forms of cell death have become important for the biology of tumors, such as ferroptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and paraptosis. In this review, all non-apoptotic and oncologically relevant forms of programmed cell death are presented, starting with their first descriptions, their molecular characteristics, and their role and their interactions in cell physiology and pathophysiology. Based on these descriptions, the current state of knowledge about their alterations and their role in gliomas will be presented. In addition, current efforts to therapeutically influence the molecular components of these forms of cell death will be discussed. Although research into their exact role in gliomas is still at a rather early stage, our review clarifies that all these non-apoptotic forms of cell death show significant alterations in gliomas and that important insight into understanding them has already been gained.

Assessment of the Impact of Trace Essential Metals on Cancer Development

This study examines the impact of zinc, copper, cobalt, iron, and manganese on cancer development, considering their dual roles as potential promoters or inhibitors within tumorigenesis. A comprehensive analysis of existing literature and experimental data is conducted to elucidate the intricate relationship between these trace elements and cancer progression. The findings highlight the multifaceted effects of zinc, copper, cobalt, iron, and manganese on various aspects of cancer development, including cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Understanding the nuanced interactions between these trace elements and cancer could offer crucial insights into tumorigenesis mechanisms and facilitate the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer prevention and treatment strategies. This research underscores the importance of considering the roles of essential trace elements in cancer biology and may ultimately contribute to advancements in precision medicine approaches for combating cancer.

Copper, Iron, Cadmium, and Arsenic, All Generated in the Universe: Elucidating Their Environmental Impact Risk on Human Health Including Clinical Liver Injury

Humans are continuously exposed to various heavy metals including copper, iron, cadmium, and arsenic, which were specifically selected for the current analysis because they are among the most frequently encountered environmental mankind and industrial pollutants potentially causing human health hazards and liver injury. So far, these issues were poorly assessed and remained a matter of debate, also due to inconsistent results. The aim of the actual report is to thoroughly analyze the positive as well as negative effects of these four heavy metals on human health. Copper and iron are correctly viewed as pollutant elements essential for maintaining human health because they are part of important enzymes and metabolic pathways. Healthy individuals are prepared through various genetically based mechanisms to maintain cellular copper and iron homeostasis, thereby circumventing or reducing hazardous liver and organ injury due to excessive amounts of these metals continuously entering the human body. In a few humans with gene aberration, however, liver and organ injury may develop because excessively accumulated copper can lead to Wilson disease and substantial iron deposition to hemochromatosis. At the molecular level, toxicities of some heavy metals are traced back to the Haber Weiss and Fenton reactions involving reactive oxygen species formed in the course of oxidative stress. On the other hand, cellular homeostasis for cadmium and arsenic cannot be provided, causing their life-long excessive deposition in the liver and other organs. Consequently, cadmium and arsenic represent health hazards leading to higher disability-adjusted life years and increased mortality rates due to cancer and non-cancer diseases. For unknown reasons, however, liver injury in humans exposed to cadmium and arsenic is rarely observed. In sum, copper and iron are good for the human health of most individuals except for those with Wilson disease or hemochromatosis at risk of liver injury through radical formation, while cadmium and arsenic lack any beneficial effects but rather are potentially hazardous to human health with a focus on increased disability potential and risk for cancer. Primary efforts should focus on reducing the industrial emission of hazardous heavy metals.

The Molecular Mechanisms of Cuproptosis and Small-Molecule Drug Design in Diabetes Mellitus

In the field of human health research, the homeostasis of copper (Cu) is receiving increased attention due to its connection to pathological conditions, including diabetes mellitus (DM). Recent studies have demonstrated that proteins associated with Cu homeostasis, such as ATOX1, FDX1, ATP7A, ATPB, SLC31A1, p53, and UPS, also contribute to DM. Cuproptosis, characterized by Cu homeostasis dysregulation and Cu overload, has been found to cause the oligomerization of lipoylated proteins in mitochondria, loss of iron-sulfur protein, depletion of glutathione, production of reactive oxygen species, and cell death. Further research into how cuproptosis affects DM is essential to uncover its mechanism of action and identify effective interventions. In this article, we review the molecular mechanism of Cu homeostasis and the role of cuproptosis in the pathogenesis of DM. The study of small-molecule drugs that affect these proteins offers the possibility of moving from symptomatic treatment to treating the underlying causes of DM.

Cuproptosis-related ceRNA axis triggers cell proliferation and cell cycle through CBX2 in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has high morbidity and mortality. Despite substantial advances in treatment, the prognosis of patients with LUAD remains unfavorable. The ceRNA axis has been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of LUAD. In addition, cuproptosis is considered an important factor in tumorigenesis. The expression of CBX2 has been associated with the development of multiple tumors, including LUAD. However, the precise molecular mechanisms through which the cuproptosis-related ceRNA network regulates CBX2 remain unclear.

METHODS

The DEGs between tumor and normal samples of LUAD were identified in TCGA database. The "ConsensusClusterPlus" R package was used to perform consensus clustering based on the mRNA expression matrix and cuproptosis-related gene expression profile. Then, LASSO-COX regression analysis was performed to identify potential prognostic biomarkers associated with cuproptosis, and the ceRNA network was constructed. Finally, the mechanisms of ceRNA in LUAD was studied by cell experiments.

RESULTS

In this study, the AC144450.1/miR-424-5p axis was found to promote the progression of LUAD by acting on CBX2. The expression of AC144450.1 and miR-424-5p can be altered to regulate CBX2 and is correlated with cell proliferation and cell cycle of LUAD. Mechanistically, AC144450.1 affects the expression of CBX2 by acting as the ceRNA of miR-424-5p. In addition, a cuproptosis-related model were constructed in this study to predict the prognosis of LUAD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to demonstrate that the AC144450.1/miR-424-5p/CBX2 axis is involved in LUAD progression and may serve as a novel target for its diagnosis and treatment.