Caspase-independent cell death in lung cancer: from mechanisms to clinical applications

Caspase-independent cell death (CICD) has recently become a very important mechanism in lung cancer, in particular, to overcome a critical failure in apoptotic cell death that is common to disease progression and treatment failures. The pathways involved in CICD span from necroptosis, ferroptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and autophagy-mediated cell death. Its potential therapeutic applications have been recently highlighted. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) inhibition-driven ferroptosis has overcome drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In addition, necroptosis involving RIPK1 and RIPK3 causes tumor cell death and modulation of immune responses in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Mitochondrial pathways are critical for CICD through modulation of metabolic and redox homeostasis. Ferroptosis is amplified by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation in lung cancer cells, and mitochondrial depolarization induces oxidative stress and leads to cell death. In addition, mitochondria-mediated autophagy, or mitophagy, results in the clearance of damaged organelles under stress conditions, while this function is also linked to CICD when dysregulated. The role of cell death through autophagy regulated by ATG proteins and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is dual: to suppress tumor and to sensitize cells to therapy. A promising approach to enhancing therapeutic outcomes involves targeting mechanisms of CICD, including inducing ferroptosis by SLC7A11 inhibition, modulating mitochondrial ROS generation, or combining inhibition of autophagy with chemotherapy. Here, we review the molecular underpinnings of CICD, particularly on mitochondrial pathways and their potential to transform lung cancer treatment.