MYC Oncogene: A Druggable Target for Treating Cancers with Natural Products

Abstract

Various diseases, including cancers, age-associated disorders, and acute liver failure, have been linked to the oncogene, MYC . Animal testing and clinical trials have shown that sustained tumor volume reduction can be achieved when MYC is inactivated, and different combinations of therapeutic agents including MYC inhibitors are currently being developed. In this review, we first provide a summary of the multiple biological functions of the MYC oncoprotein in cancer treatment, highlighting that the equilibrium points of the MYC/MAX, MIZ1/MYC/MAX, and MAD (MNT)/MAX complexes have further potential in cancer treatment that could be used to restrain MYC oncogene expression and its functions in tumorigenesis. We also discuss the multifunctional capacity of MYC in various cellular cancer processes, including its influences on immune response, metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, multidrug resistance, and intestinal flora. Moreover, we summarize the MYC therapy patent landscape and emphasize the potential of MYC as a druggable target, using herbal medicine modulators. Finally, we describe pending challenges and future perspectives in biomedical research, involving the development of therapeutic approaches to modulate MYC or its targeted genes. Patients with cancers driven by MYC signaling may benefit from therapies targeting these pathways, which could delay cancerous growth and recover antitumor immune responses.

Biological clock regulation by the PER gene family: a new perspective on tumor development

“…Specifically, in China, there were 4.57 million new cancer cases and 3.00 million cancer-specific deaths in the same year ( He and Ke, 2023 ). Traditional cancer treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery ( Jin et al, 2022 ; Sirhan et al, 2022 ; Xing et al, 2022 ; Association, 2023 ), while molecularly targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed oncology ( Chen et al, 2022 ; Chan et al, 2023 ; Yin et al, 2023 ; Yu et al, 2023 ). Despite advancements, the adverse effects of treatments on patient survival and quality of life remain pressing challenges in cancer therapy ( Zhang and Zhang, 2020 ; Peng et al, 2022 ), complicating patient management ( Wang YH.…”

The Role of Natural Products from Herbal Medicine in TLR4 Signaling for Colorectal Cancer Treatment

“…Numerous TCM products exhibit potent anticancer effects [ 17 ], regulating proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and angiogenesis. They also modulate autophagy, counteract drug resistance, maintain immune balance, and enhance chemotherapy efficacy in vitro and in vivo [ 18 , 19 ]. Currently, natural products from TCMs are emerging as crucial sources for drug discovery, offering potential in CRC treatment [ 20 , 21 ].…”