MDSCs in bone metastasis: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Zhi Li; Qi Xia; Yujie He; Lei Li; Peihao Yin

doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216906

MDSCs in bone metastasis: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Cancer Lett. 2024 Apr 21:592:216906. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216906. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Zhi Li¹, Qi Xia², Yujie He², Lei Li³, Peihao Yin⁴

Affiliations

¹ Interventional Cancer Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China; Department of General Surgery, Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Umbilical Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China.
² Interventional Cancer Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China.
³ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China. Electronic address: lli@bio.ecnu.edu.cn.
⁴ Interventional Cancer Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China. Electronic address: yinpeihao@shutcm.edu.cn.

PMID: 38649108
DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216906

Abstract

Bone metastasis (BM) is a frequent complication associated with advanced cancer that significantly increases patient mortality. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a pivotal role in BM progression by promoting angiogenesis, inhibiting immune responses, and inducing osteoclastogenesis. MDSCs induce immunosuppression through diverse mechanisms, including the generation of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and immunosuppressive cytokines. Within the bone metastasis niche (BMN), MDSCs engage in intricate interactions with tumor, stromal, and bone cells, thereby establishing a complex regulatory network. The biological activities and functions of MDSCs are regulated by the microenvironment within BMN. Conversely, MDSCs actively contribute to microenvironmental regulation, thereby promoting BM development. A comprehensive understanding of the indispensable role played by MDSCs in BM is imperative for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. This review highlights the involvement of MDSCs in BM development, their regulatory mechanisms, and their potential as viable therapeutic targets.

Keywords: Bone metastasis; Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs); Traditional Chinese medicine; Tumor microenvironment; Tumor vaccine.

Publication types

Review