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β-Adrenergic signaling in skin cancer

Jennifer Batalla-Covello1, Shahrukh Ali1, Tongxin Xie1

  • 1Department of Head and Neck Surgery The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA.

FASEB Bioadvances
|April 13, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Beta-blockers may slow skin cancer progression. Studies show sympathetic nervous system activation fuels tumor growth, while beta-blocker drugs can reduce tumor burden and improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Sympathetic nervous system activation releases catecholamines, interacting with beta-adrenergic receptors on tumor cells.
  • This interaction promotes tumorigenesis, cell proliferation, and inhibits apoptosis, as shown in preclinical models.
  • Beta-adrenergic blockade has demonstrated a decrease in tumor burden in preclinical studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of beta-adrenergic signaling in cancer and immune cells.
  • To detail preclinical models investigating the effects of sympathetic blockade on cancer.
  • To consider clinical evidence on beta-adrenergic blockade's impact on skin cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical models examining beta-adrenergic receptor blockers.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways involved in beta-adrenergic receptor activation in cancer.
  • Examination of clinical data on beta-blocker use in skin cancer patients.

Main Results:

  • Beta-adrenergic signaling pathways are implicated in promoting tumor growth and survival.
  • Preclinical studies indicate that beta-adrenergic blockade can reduce tumor burden.
  • Clinical data suggest improved prognosis for skin cancer patients using beta-blockers.

Conclusions:

  • Beta-adrenergic signaling plays a significant role in cancer progression, particularly in skin cancers.
  • Beta-adrenergic blockers represent a potential therapeutic strategy for managing skin cancer.
  • Further research into the clinical application of beta-blockers in oncology is warranted.
Keywords:
adrenergic systembasal cell carcinomamelanomaskin cancersquamous cell carcinomasympathetic nervous systemβ‐adrenergicβ‐adrenergic signalingβ‐blockers

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