Copper death combination therapy: the innovative frontier and challenges in prostate cancer treatment

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCA) remains a significant health challenge, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies to enhance patient outcomes. Recent research has identified cuproptosis, a copper-dependent programmed cell death mechanism, as a promising target in PCA treatment. Elevated copper levels have been associated with tumor progression and therapeutic resistance, highlighting the need for innovative approaches. This review synthesizes current findings on the role of copper and cuproptosis in PCA, focusing on the mechanisms underlying cuproptosis, the identification of key biomarkers, and the therapeutic potential of copper complexes and ionophores. The integration of cuproptosis-related biomarkers into clinical practice may facilitate personalized treatment strategies, while ongoing research into copper-based therapies holds promise for overcoming limitations of traditional chemotherapy. Future directions should emphasize elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis and optimizing therapeutic applications to improve patient outcomes in PCA.

Keywords: Prostate cancer; androgen receptor; copper metabolism; drug resistance; therapeutic strategies.

Figure 1.

Schematic diagram of the molecular mechanism of cuproptosis in prostate cancer cells.

Figure 2.

Key genes and biomarkers associated with cuproptosis in prostate cancer.

Figure 3.

The interaction between cuproptosis and the immune microenvironment of prostate cancer.