Copper chelation suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inhibition of canonical and non-canonical TGF-β signaling pathways in cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Metastatic cancer cells exploit Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) to enhance their migration, invasion, and resistance to treatments. Recent studies highlight that elevated levels of copper are implicated in cancer progression and metastasis. Clinical trials using copper chelators are associated with improved patient survival; however, the molecular mechanisms by which copper depletion inhibits tumor progression and metastasis are poorly understood. This remains a major hurdle to the clinical translation of copper chelators. Here, we propose that copper chelation inhibits metastasis by reducing TGF-β levels and EMT signaling. Given that many drugs targeting TGF-β have failed in clinical trials, partly because of severe side effects arising in patients, we hypothesi

SUBMITTER: Poursani EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10362738 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature