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The amino acid transporter SLC7A11-mediated crosstalk implicated in cancer therapy and the tumor microenvironment

Jiaqin He1, Xiaomeng Wang1, Keying Chen1

  • 1Department of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China; Key Laboratory of Screening and Activity Evaluation of Targeted Drugs, Chongqing 400054, China.

Biochemical Pharmacology
|September 9, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) overexpression drives cancer progression by enabling ferroptosis resistance. Inhibiting SLC7A11 offers a promising strategy to enhance cancer therapies and overcome treatment resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) is an amino acid transporter overexpressed in human cancers.
  • SLC7A11 facilitates cystine uptake, crucial for glutathione synthesis, conferring ferroptosis resistance to tumor cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the regulatory network of SLC7A11 in the tumor microenvironment (TME).
  • To summarize the development of SLC7A11 inhibitors and their therapeutic potential.
  • To explore the cytotoxic effects of SLC7A11 blockade in various cancer cell types.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of SLC7A11 regulation, function, and inhibition in cancer.
  • Analysis of experimental data on SLC7A11 targeting in combination with immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

Main Results:

  • SLC7A11 overexpression promotes tumorigenesis and progression by mediating ferroptosis resistance.
  • Targeting SLC7A11, particularly in combination with immunotherapy, potently triggers ferroptosis.
  • Inhibition of SLC7A11 enhances cancer stem cell chemosensitivity and may overcome resistance to conventional treatments.

Conclusions:

  • SLC7A11 is a critical regulator of ferroptosis and a promising therapeutic target in oncology.
  • Downregulation of SLC7A11 presents a viable drug discovery avenue for ferroptosis-related diseases.
  • SLC7A11 inhibitors hold potential as adjuvants to chemotherapy and immunotherapy to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Keywords:
AnticancerFerroptosisImmunotherapySLC7A11SLC7A11 inhibitors

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