Increased V-ATPase Activity Can Lead to Chemo-resistance in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Via Autophagy Induction: New Insights

Overview

Journal Med Oncol

Publisher Springer

Specialty Oncology

Date 2024 Apr 9

PMID 38592406

Authors

Ahmadreza Lagzian

Marziye Askari

Melika Sadat Haeri

Nastaran Sheikhi

Sara Banihashemi

Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi

Yalda Malekzadegan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a cancer type with a high rate of recurrence and a poor prognosis. Tumor chemo-resistance remains an issue for OSCC patients despite the availability of multimodal therapy options, which causes an increase in tumor invasiveness. Vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase), appears to be one of the most significant molecules implicated in MDR in tumors like OSCC. It is primarily responsible for controlling the acidity in the solid tumors' microenvironment, which interferes with the absorption of chemotherapeutic medications. However, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms V-ATPase plays in OSCC chemo-resistance have not been understood. Uncovering these mechanisms can contribute to combating OSCC chemo-resistance and poor prognosis. Hence, in this review, we suggest that one of these underlying mechanisms is autophagy induced by V-ATPase which can potentially contribute to OSCC chemo-resistance. Finally, specialized autophagy and V-ATPase inhibitors may be beneficial as an approach to reduce drug resistance to anticancer therapies in addition to serving as coadjuvants in antitumor treatments. Also, V-ATPase could be a prognostic factor for OSCC patients. However, in the future, more investigations are required to demonstrate these suggestions and hypotheses.

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