Document Type : Review Article
Authors
1
Master in Molecular and Cellular Biology in Department of Science at Islamic Azad University, Yadegar Emam Branch Tehran, Iran.
2
College of Pharmacy, Alnoor University, Mosul, Iraq.
3
Ahl Al Bayt University Kerbala, Iraq.
4
College of Nursing, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq.
5
Pharmacy college, Al-Farahidi University, Iraq.
6
Department of Pharmacy, Al-Zahrawi University College, Karbala, Iraq.
7
Gilgamesh Ahliya University, Baghdad, Iraq.
8
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences Semnan, Iran.
Abstract
It is predicted with near certainty that an estimated 310,720 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast
carcinoma in 2024, while the number of men will be significantly lower at around 2,800, highlighting the alarming
prevalence of this cancer across the sexes. The Solute Carrier Family 7 Member 11(SLC7A11) gene is vital for
the exchange of extracellular cystine for glutamate at a 1:1 ratio and its expression is significantly increased in
various tumors. Numerous research studies have shown that SLC7A11 expression is fine-tuned at several levels,
contributing to its pharmacological functions in tumors, such as maintaining cellular redox balance, promoting
cell proliferation, and influencing ferroptosis. Many studies suggest that reducing SLC7A11 expression and
activity may be beneficial for cancer treatment, making it a promising target for therapy. However, recent findings
also suggest that inhibiting SLC7A11 in certain scenarios may increase the survival of cancer cells and promote
drug resistance. This review begins with a brief overview of the properties of SLC7A11, including its structural
features and physiological functions, followed by a summary of its potential regulators. We then delve deeper
into its role in cancer, particularly breast cancer, and explore the relationships between SLC7A11 and ferroptosis,
proliferation, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Consequently, more customized therapeutic approaches
should be considered when targeting SLC7A11 in the context of breast cancer. Thus, high expression of SLC7A11
is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer, and various inhibitors have been identified that can effectively
target this transporter. Innovative therapeutic strategies, including immunotherapies targeting SLC7A11, can
potentially reduce tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancer models.
Keywords