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Updated: Sep 8, 2025

Evaluation of the Interplay Between the Complement Protein C1q and Hyaluronic Acid in Promoting Cell Adhesion
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Unveiling anaphylatoxins: Pioneering cancer therapies through complement system insights

Jiamu Li1, Xinqiao Li2, Jinpeng Hu1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Nanjing Street 155, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, PR China.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Reviews on Cancer
|September 6, 2025
PubMed

Insights

The complement system

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The complement system is crucial for innate immunity and inflammation.
  • Anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a are key mediators of complement activation.
  • These molecules impact the tumor microenvironment (TME) and cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of C3a and C5a in various cancers.
  • To highlight their influence on tumor cell behavior and immune evasion.
  • To explore their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent findings on C3a and C5a in cancer.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways (PI3K/AKT, MEK/ERK, p38 MAPK) involved.
  • Examination of therapeutic strategies including inhibitors and combination therapies.

Main Results:

  • C3a and C5a promote tumor proliferation, EMT, angiogenesis, and immune suppression.
  • They contribute to therapy resistance across multiple cancer types (glioma, lung, melanoma, breast, hematological).
  • Anaphylatoxin inhibitors show promise, especially combined with immune checkpoint blockade.

Conclusions:

  • C3a and C5a are significant drivers of cancer progression and immune evasion.
  • Targeting anaphylatoxins offers novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
  • Further understanding may lead to improved cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and combination therapies.
Keywords:
AnaphylatoxinsC3aC5aComplement systemTherapeutic targetsTumor microenvironment

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