Carotenoids in Cancer Metastasis-Status Quo and Outlook.

Abstract

Metastasis represents a major obstacle in cancer treatment and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Therefore, the identification of compounds targeting the multi-step and complex process of metastasis could improve outcomes in the management of cancer patients. Carotenoids are naturally occurring pigments with a plethora of biological activities. Carotenoids exert a potent anti-cancer capacity in various cancer models in vitro and in vivo, mediated by the modulation of signaling pathways involved in the migration and invasion of cancer cells and metastatic progression, including key regulators of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and regulatory molecules, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and others. Moreover, carotenoids modulate the expression of genes associated with cancer progression and inflammatory processes as key mediators of the complex process involved in metastasis. Nevertheless, due to the predominantly preclinical nature of the known anti-tumor effects of carotenoids, and unclear results from certain carotenoids in specific cancer types and/or specific parts of the population, a precise analysis of the anti-cancer effects of carotenoids is essential. The identification of carotenoids as effective compounds targeting the complex process of cancer progression could improve the outcomes of advanced cancer patients.

• Authors: Lenka Koklesova, Alena Liskova, Marek Samec, Kevin Zhai, Mariam Abotaleb, Milad Ashrafizadeh, Aranka Brockmueller, Mehdi Shakibaei, Kamil Biringer, Ondrej Bugos, Masoud Najafi, Olga Golubnitschaja, Dietrich Büsselberg, Peter Kubatka
• Journal: Biomolecules (Biomolecules) Vol. 10 Issue 12 (12 10 2020) ISSN: 2218-273X [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 33321708 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• HIF1A protein, human
• Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
• Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator
• Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases
• Carotenoids
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator
• Matrix Metalloproteinases

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (chemistry, classification, therapeutic use)
• Carotenoids (chemistry, classification, therapeutic use)
• Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
• Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (drug effects, genetics)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic (drug effects)
• Humans
• Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit (genetics, metabolism)
• Machine Learning
• Matrix Metalloproteinases (genetics, metabolism)
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Neoplasm Metastasis (drug therapy, genetics, pathology)
• Neoplasms (drug therapy, genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Precision Medicine
• Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator (genetics, metabolism)
• Signal Transduction
• Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases (genetics, metabolism)
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator (genetics, metabolism)