Department of Biology, West Virginia State University, Institute, WV 25112, USA.
Molecules. 2024 Oct 7;29(19):4729. doi: 10.3390/molecules29194729.
Cancer is a global health challenge with rising incidence and mortality rates, posing significant concerns. The World Health Organization reports cancer as a leading cause of death worldwide, contributing to nearly one in six deaths. Cancer pathogenesis involves disruptions in cellular signaling pathways, resulting in uncontrolled cell growth and metastasis. Among emerging players in cancer biology, Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, notably TRPV1, have garnered attention due to their altered expression in cancer cells and roles in tumorigenesis and progression. TRPV1, also known as the capsaicin receptor, is pivotal in cancer cell death and pain mediation, offering promise as a therapeutic target. Activation of TRPV1 triggers calcium influx and affects cell signaling linked to growth and death. Additionally, TRPV1 is implicated in cancer-induced pain and chemo-sensitivity, with upregulation observed in sensory neurons innervating oral cancers. Also, when capsaicin, a compound from chili peppers, interacts with TRPV1, it elicits a "hot" sensation and influences cancer processes through calcium influx. Understanding TRPV1's multifaceted roles in cancer may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for managing cancer-related symptoms and improving patient outcomes. The current review elucidates the comprehensive role of capsaicin in cancer therapy, particularly through the TRPV1 channel, highlighting its effects in various cells via different signaling pathways and discussing its limitations.
癌症是一个全球性的健康挑战，其发病率和死亡率不断上升，令人高度关注。世界卫生组织报告称，癌症是全球主要死因之一，占全球死亡人数的近六分之一。癌症的发病机制涉及细胞信号通路的紊乱，导致不受控制的细胞生长和转移。在癌症生物学的新兴参与者中，瞬时受体电位（TRP）通道，特别是 TRPV1，由于其在癌细胞中的异常表达及其在肿瘤发生和进展中的作用而受到关注。TRPV1 也称为辣椒素受体，在癌细胞死亡和疼痛调节中起着关键作用，有望成为治疗靶点。TRPV1 的激活会引发钙离子内流，并影响与生长和死亡相关的细胞信号。此外，TRPV1 与癌症引起的疼痛和化疗敏感性有关，在支配口腔癌的感觉神经元中观察到其上调。此外，当辣椒素（来自辣椒的一种化合物）与 TRPV1 相互作用时，会引发“热”感，并通过钙离子内流影响癌症进程。了解 TRPV1 在癌症中的多方面作用可能会为管理癌症相关症状和改善患者预后提供新的治疗策略。本综述阐明了辣椒素在癌症治疗中的全面作用，特别是通过 TRPV1 通道，强调了其通过不同信号通路在各种细胞中的作用，并讨论了其局限性。
