Mitophagy in gastrointestinal tumors: mechanisms and new targets for immunotherapy
Tao Zhang1, Zhetan Ren2, Bowen Tang1
1Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, China.
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal tumors (GITs), particularly gastric and colorectal cancers, are the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite advances in screening technologies and the continuous development of treatments, which have improved early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions, the morbidity and mortality rates remain high, presenting a significant challenge to global public health. While existing treatments can extend patient survival to some degree, they are often accompanied by substantial side effects. In recent years, immunotherapy has yielded positive outcomes for some patients. However, the emergence of immune escape mechanisms has hindered treatment effectiveness. As a result, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies that can address the limitations of current approaches. mitophagy, a key cellular process, has gained significant attention in cancer research. It plays an essential role in maintaining cellular energy balance and metabolic stability, and is intricately linked to crucial biological processes such as drug resistance, metastasis, invasion, and the tumor microenvironment. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the mechanisms underlying mitophagy, examining its role in gastrointestinal cancers, particularly in relation to cellular metabolism, apoptosis, drug resistance, metastasis, invasion, and the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, it will explore the potential of mitophagy as a therapeutic target and address current clinical challenges. It is hoped that this research will offer new insights and directions for the treatment of GITs.
Insights
Mitophagy, a cellular process, is crucial in gastrointestinal cancers. Targeting mitophagy offers a promising new strategy to overcome treatment resistance and improve outcomes for these deadly tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Gastrointestinal tumors (GITs) cause significant global mortality despite advances in diagnosis and treatment.
- Current therapies for GITs have limitations, including severe side effects and the development of immune escape mechanisms, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of mitophagy mechanisms in gastrointestinal cancers.
- To explore the role of mitophagy in cellular metabolism, apoptosis, drug resistance, metastasis, invasion, and the tumor microenvironment.
- To investigate the potential of mitophagy as a therapeutic target for GITs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on mitophagy mechanisms and their implications in gastrointestinal cancers.
- Analysis of the link between mitophagy and key cancer hallmarks such as metabolism, apoptosis, and metastasis.
- Exploration of mitophagy's role in the tumor microenvironment and drug resistance.
Main Results:
- Mitophagy is integral to maintaining cellular energy and metabolic stability, influencing critical cancer processes.
- Dysregulation of mitophagy is linked to drug resistance, metastasis, invasion, and the tumor microenvironment in GITs.
- Emerging evidence highlights mitophagy's complex role in cancer progression and treatment response.
Conclusions:
- Mitophagy represents a significant, yet underexplored, therapeutic target for gastrointestinal cancers.
- Targeting mitophagy may offer a novel approach to overcome treatment resistance and improve patient outcomes.
- Further research into mitophagy mechanisms is crucial for developing effective clinical strategies against GITs.
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