Targeting the chemokine receptor CXCR4 for cancer therapies
Por:
Rueda, A, Serna, N, Mangues, R, Villaverde, A, Unzueta, U
Publicada:
1 may 2025
Resumen:
The C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) has emerged as a key molecular biomarker for cancer therapies due to its critical role in tumor progression and metastases by displaying a stem cells phenotype. Its overexpression has been observed in more than 20 types of cancers, including solid tumors and hematological malignancies, and it is often associated with tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. Being initially recognized as a co-receptor involved in HIV infection, numerous CXCR4-targeting ligands and antagonists, including small molecules, peptides and biologics have been identified over the past decades. While only few of them have been used in the context of cancer therapies, recent biotechnological advancements using CXCR4 as a molecular target are showing significant potential to revolutionize future cancer therapies. Therefore, this review highlights the biotechnological innovations developed for cancer therapy and diagnosis by targeting the chemokine receptor CXCR4. It also discusses future perspectives on emerging therapeutic strategies, ranging from the use of small molecule inhibitors that block receptor signaling to cutting-edge nanocarriers designed for the targeted delivery of innovative drugs and proteins into cancer stem cells, aiming at cell-selective precision nanomedicines.
Filiaciones:
Rueda, A:
Inst Recerca St Pau IR ST PAU, St Quinti 77-79, Barcelona 08041, Spain
Inst Salud Carlos III, CIBER Bioingn Biomat & Nanomed, Madrid 28029, Spain
Josep Carreras Leukaemia Res Inst, IJC Campus St Pau, Barcelona 08041, Spain
Serna, N:
Inst Salud Carlos III, CIBER Bioingn Biomat & Nanomed, Madrid 28029, Spain
Univ Autonoma Barcelona, Inst Biotecnol & Biomed, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
Mangues, R:
Inst Recerca St Pau IR ST PAU, St Quinti 77-79, Barcelona 08041, Spain
Inst Salud Carlos III, CIBER Bioingn Biomat & Nanomed, Madrid 28029, Spain
Josep Carreras Leukaemia Res Inst, IJC Campus St Pau, Barcelona 08041, Spain
Villaverde, A:
Inst Salud Carlos III, CIBER Bioingn Biomat & Nanomed, Madrid 28029, Spain
Univ Autonoma Barcelona, Inst Biotecnol & Biomed, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
Univ Autonoma Barcelona, Dept Genet & Microbiol, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
Unzueta, U:
Inst Recerca St Pau IR ST PAU, St Quinti 77-79, Barcelona 08041, Spain
Inst Salud Carlos III, CIBER Bioingn Biomat & Nanomed, Madrid 28029, Spain
Josep Carreras Leukaemia Res Inst, IJC Campus St Pau, Barcelona 08041, Spain
Univ Autonoma Barcelona, Dept Genet & Microbiol, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
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