1.
Current perspectives of cancer-associated fibroblast in therapeutic resistance: potential mechanism and future strategy.
Kadel, D, Zhang, Y, Sun, HR, Zhao, Y, Dong, QZ, Qin, LX
Cell biology and toxicology. 2019;(5):407-421
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Abstract
The goal of cancer eradication has been overshadowed despite the continuous improvement in research and generation of novel cancer therapeutic drugs. One of the undeniable existing problems is drug resistance due to which the paradigm of killing all cancer cells is ineffective. Tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in inducing drug resistance besides cancer development and progression. Recently, many efforts have been devoted to understand the role of tumor microenvironment in cancer drug resistance as it provides the shelter, nutrition, and paracrine niche for cancer cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), one major component of tumor microenvironment, reside in symbiotic relationship with cancer cells, supporting them to survive from cancer drugs. The present review summarizes the recent understandings in the role of CAFs in drug resistance in various tumors. Acknowledging the fact that drug resistance depends not only upon cancer cells but also upon the microenvironment niche could guide us to formulate novel cancer drugs and provide the optimal cancer treatment.
2.
Roles and mechanisms of copper transporting ATPases in cancer pathogenesis.
Zhang, Y, Li, M, Yao, Q, Chen, C
Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research. 2009;(1):RA1-5
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element for cell metabolism as a cofactor to many key metabolic enzymes. Numerous physiological processes rely on the adequate and timely transport of copper ions mediated by copper-transporting ATPases (Cu-ATPases), which are essential for human cell growth and development. Inherited gene mutations of ATP7A and ATP7B result in clinical diseases related to damage in the multiple organ systems. Increased expression of these genes has been recently observed in some human cancer specimens, and may be associated with tumorigenesis and chemotherapy resistance. However, underlying mechanisms of Cu-ATPases in human cancer progression and treatment are largely unknown. In this review, we summarize current progress on the copper transport system, the structural and functional properties of the Cu-ATPases, ATP7A and ATP7B, in copper homeostasis, and their roles in anti-tumor drug resistance and cancer metastasis. This review provides valuable information for clinicians and researchers who want to recognize the newest advances in this new field and identify possible lines of investigation in copper transport as important mediators in human physiology and cancer.