Targeting lung cancer with tanshinones: Current mechanistic evidence and emerging opportunities (Review)

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Natural Products Chemistry
• Oncology and Cancer Therapeutics
• Molecular Biology and Immunology

Background:

• Lung cancer (LC), predominantly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is a major global health burden with persistent challenges in drug resistance and relapse.
• Existing therapeutic options for NSCLC often face limitations, necessitating the exploration of novel treatment strategies and adjuvant agents.
• Tanshinones, bioactive compounds from Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), possess known anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and antitumor properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize current mechanistic evidence on tanshinone-mediated anticancer actions specifically within the context of lung cancer.
• To examine the opportunities and challenges associated with the clinical translation of tanshinone-based therapies for lung cancer.
• To inform the development of novel tanshinone-based therapeutic strategies and next-generation derivatives for lung cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of existing literature on tanshinones and their effects on lung cancer hallmarks.
• Analysis of mechanistic studies detailing tanshinone interactions with cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, and immune modulation.
• Evaluation of preclinical data on tanshinones as sensitizers in combination regimens with standard anticancer agents for lung cancer models.

Main Results:

• Tanshinones exhibit multi-level regulation of cancer hallmarks, including inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and attenuation of invasion and metastasis in lung cancer.
• Evidence suggests tanshinones modulate antitumor immunity, potentially enhancing the host's response against lung cancer.
• Tanshinones demonstrate promise in sensitizing lung cancer cells to standard therapies and may help overcome acquired drug resistance.

Conclusions:

• Tanshinones represent a promising class of natural compounds with significant potential for lung cancer treatment due to their diverse anticancer mechanisms.
• Their ability to act as sensitizers offers a viable strategy to improve the efficacy of existing treatments and combat drug resistance in NSCLC.
• Further research and clinical investigation are warranted to fully realize the therapeutic potential of tanshinones and their derivatives in lung cancer management.