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Anticancer Effects of Arsenic Compounds in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Neelima Konduri1, Anita Thyagarajan1, Ravi P Sahu1
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Boonshoft School of Medicine Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA.
Abstract:
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common and prevalent subtype of lung cancer and continues to be one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite various treatment options, a majority of NSCLC patients continue to experience disease progression and associated side effects, which are largely attributed to drug resistance, indicating the need for alternative strategies to combat this deadly disease. Among various applicable alternative approaches, repurposed drugs such as arsenic compounds have been shown to exert anticarcinogenic properties against NSCLC and possess the ability to overcome drug resistance mechanisms. Notably, numerous studies have demonstrated that the antitumor effects of arsenic compounds such as arsenic trioxide, arsenic sulfide, and tetra arsenic hexoxide are mediated via their ability to target several oncogenic signaling pathways, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Inhibition of such signaling cascades results in altered cellular activities, including cell cycle arrest, decreased proliferation, and increased apoptosis. Importantly, these arsenic compounds have also been shown to overcome tumor resistance mechanisms and/or exert synergy in combination with other therapeutic agents resulting in the augmentation of cancer cell cytotoxicity. This review highlights the anticarcinogenic mechanisms of arsenic compounds and their impact on the efficacy of therapeutic agents.
Insights
Arsenic compounds show promise in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by targeting key pathways and overcoming drug resistance. These repurposed drugs offer a new strategy to improve NSCLC treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide.
- Current treatments for NSCLC often face challenges due to drug resistance and patient side effects.
- There is a critical need for alternative therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes for NSCLC patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the anticarcinogenic mechanisms of arsenic compounds against NSCLC.
- To explore the potential of arsenic compounds in overcoming drug resistance in NSCLC.
- To highlight the impact of arsenic compounds on the efficacy of existing therapeutic agents.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating arsenic compounds (e.g., arsenic trioxide, arsenic sulfide, tetra arsenic hexoxide) in NSCLC.
- Analysis of research detailing the targeting of oncogenic signaling pathways (NF-kB, EGFR, STAT3) by arsenic compounds.
- Examination of evidence on the synergistic effects and resistance-overcoming capabilities of arsenic compounds.
Main Results:
- Arsenic compounds exhibit significant anticarcinogenic properties against NSCLC.
- These compounds effectively target and inhibit crucial oncogenic signaling pathways, including NF-kB, EGFR, and STAT3.
- Arsenic compounds demonstrate the ability to overcome tumor resistance mechanisms and enhance the cytotoxicity of other therapeutic agents.
Conclusions:
- Arsenic compounds represent a promising class of repurposed drugs for NSCLC treatment.
- Their ability to modulate key signaling pathways and overcome resistance mechanisms offers a novel therapeutic avenue.
- Further investigation into arsenic compounds could lead to improved combination therapies and better patient outcomes in NSCLC.
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