Targeting autophagy with tamoxifen in breast cancer: From molecular mechanisms to targeted therapy

Abstract

BackgroundTamoxifen (TAM) is often recommended as a first‐line treatment for estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer (BC). However, TAM resistance continues to be a medical challenge for BC with hormone receptor positivity. The function of macro‐autophagy and autophagy has recently been identified to be altered in BC, which suggests a potential mechanism for TAM resistance. Autophagy is a cellular stress‐induced response to preserve cellular homeostasis. Also, therapy‐induced autophagy, which is typically cytoprotective and activated in tumor cells, could sometimes be non‐protective, cytostatic, or cytotoxic depending on how it is regulated.ObjectiveThis review explored the literature on the connections between hormonal therapies and autophagy. We investigated how autophagy could develop drug resistance in BC cells.MethodsScopus, Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar were used to search articles for this study.ResultsThe results demonstrated that protein kinases such as pAMPK, BAX, and p‐p70S6K could be a sign of autophagy in developing TAM resistance. According to the study's findings, autophagy plays an important role in BC patients' TAM resistance.ConclusionTherefore, by overcoming endocrine resistance in estrogen receptor‐positive breast tumors, autophagy inhibition may improve the therapeutic efficacy of TAM.

Biological role and expression of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) in tumorigenesis and development and its potential for targeted tumor therapy

“…However, recent studies have shown that the mechanism for certain anti-cancer drugs is linked to the induction of autophagy in cancer cells [100,101]. Recent studies have indicated that autophagy may serve as a mechanism of drug resistance to tumors [102][103][104]. Specifically, autophagy in traditional cancer treatments provides cells with an alternative survival route that circumvents cell death, potentially leading to treatment resistance.…”

A comprehensive review on Ellagic acid in breast cancer treatment: From cellular effects to molecular mechanisms of action

“…Numerous risk factors are responsible for BC, including menopause, endogenous hormones, and oral contraception. Moreover, environmental factors, lifestyle, and family history have been identified to be accounted for developing breast mass (Key et al, 2001; Zamanian, Golmohammadi, Alalak, et al, 2023; Zamanian, Golmohammadi, Nili‐Ahmadabadi, et al, 2023). In recent decades, advanced therapy approaches and early identification through mammography lead to better prognoses and higher health outcomes (Ahmad, 2019).…”