NO- and H2S- releasing nanomaterials: A crosstalk signaling pathway in cancer

Roberta Albino Dos Reis1, Ishani Sarkar2, Maiara Gonçalves Rodrigues1

  • 1Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, 09210-580, SP, Brazil.

Insights

Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gasotransmitters have dual roles in cancer. Nanomaterials offer targeted delivery for synergistic anticancer therapies, potentially reversing drug resistance and minimizing side effects.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Nanomedicine
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Gasotransmitters nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are critical in physiological and pathological processes.
  • These molecules exhibit complex, context-dependent roles in cancer, with both tumor-promoting and anti-tumor activities.
  • Cellular responses to NO and H2S vary significantly across different cell types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in NO- and H2S-releasing nanomaterials for cancer therapy.
  • To explore the synergistic potential of gasotransmitters with conventional anticancer treatments.
  • To highlight the role of nanomaterials in targeted delivery and overcoming multidrug resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on the design and application of NO- and H2S-releasing nanomaterials.
  • Analysis of the interplay between NO and H2S in various cancer contexts.
  • Examination of nanomaterial-based strategies for enhanced drug delivery and reduced toxicity.

Main Results:

  • Nanomaterials provide a promising platform for the targeted delivery of NO and H2S donors.
  • Gasotransmitters can synergize with radiotherapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and phototherapy.
  • NO and H2S have demonstrated potential in reversing multidrug resistance in cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • NO- and H2S-releasing nanomaterials represent a significant advancement in targeted cancer therapy.
  • Understanding the complex interactions between NO and H2S is crucial for developing effective combination therapies.
  • Nanomedicine approaches offer enhanced therapeutic efficiency and reduced side effects in cancer treatment.

Related Concept Videos

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.2K
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
5.7K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.5K
Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways01:41

Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways

Wnt is a zygotic effect gene that is expressed during very early embryonic development. It regulates various processes in animals starting from early development through the adult stage, such as organogenesis in the embryo and maintenance of neuronal and blood stem cells. Wnt proteins can induce a wide variety of intracellular pathways depending upon the specific abilities of different Wnt ligands to form a complex with shared and cognate receptors in the presence of different co-receptors. The...
7.3K
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
12.4K
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.6K