ß-Adrenoreceptors in Human Cancers

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cancer is a leading global cause of death, with increasing incidence linked to factors including lifestyle and stress.
• Stress-related signaling pathways, particularly involving beta-adrenoreceptors (ß-ARs), are increasingly implicated in tumor development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review epidemiological and preclinical data on stress-induced ß-AR activation in cancer.
• To present a framework for how cancer cells exploit ß-ARs for survival and metastasis.
• To outline therapeutic strategies targeting ß-adrenergic signaling pathways.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on breast and lung cancer, melanoma, and gliomas from the past five years.
• Analysis of epidemiological and preclinical data on ß-ARs in cancer.
• Conceptual framework development based on converging evidence.

Main Results:

• Stress-activated ß-ARs contribute to cancer cell formation, transformation, and migration.
• Cancer cells hijack ß-AR signaling pathways to enhance their survival and promote tumorigenesis and metastasis.
• Targeting ß-adrenergic signaling demonstrates potential antitumor effects.

Conclusions:

• Repurposed beta-blocker drugs are a primary strategy for targeting ß-adrenergic signaling in cancer.
• Emerging chemogenetic approaches offer novel methods for suppressing tumor growth by modulating neuronal or direct tumor cell receptors.
• Targeting the stress-response axis presents a promising avenue for cancer therapy.