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Pyroptosis in Cancer: Friend or Foe?
Xiuxia Lu1, Tianhui Guo1, Xing Zhang1
1Melanoma and Sarcoma Medical Oncology Unit, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.
Cancers
|July 24, 2021
Summary
Pyroptosis, an inflammatory cell death, is triggered by gasdermin proteins (GSDMs). Its precise role in cancer immunity, especially after treatments like chemotherapy, requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Pyroptosis is a pro-inflammatory programmed cell death pathway.
- It is executed by gasdermin proteins (GSDMs) that form membrane pores.
- The role of pyroptosis in cancer and its impact on anti-tumor immunity is complex and debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the discovery and mechanisms of pyroptosis.
- To discuss the involvement of pyroptosis in inflammatory diseases.
- To critically evaluate the role of pyroptosis in cancer immunity, particularly in response to therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pyroptosis mechanisms and functions.
- Analysis of studies investigating pyroptosis in cancer.
- Synthesis of findings on pyroptosis induction by various stimuli and therapies.
Main Results:
- Gasdermin N-termini oligomerize to form pores, leading to pyroptosis.
- Pyroptosis can be triggered by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and chemotherapeutic drugs.
- Conflicting evidence exists regarding whether pyroptosis benefits or harms anti-tumor immunity.
Conclusions:
- Pyroptosis is a key inflammatory cell death pathway with implications beyond inflammatory diseases.
- Understanding pyroptosis's dual role in cancer is crucial for developing effective anti-cancer strategies.
- Further research is needed to clarify pyroptosis's impact on tumor immunity and therapeutic outcomes.
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