Cuproptosis: A Copper-Triggered Unique Cell Death Targeting Cancer

A recently discovered type of copper-driven cell death is regarded as Cuproptosis. The significance of copper and copper-triggered cell death in the development of malignancies has garnered attention recently. Cuproptosis has shown remarkable promise for cancer therapy, which has sparked a great deal of interest in the cancer research community. Treatments based on copper have the potential to treat malignancies that are resistant to chemotherapy by impeding the growth of the tumor. We offer a critical examination of copper homeostasis and the part copper dysregulation plays in the onset and spread of cancer in this review. After outlining the fundamental molecular underpinnings of Cuproptosis and its connection to cancer, the present state of knowledge regarding copper-based cancer treatment agents - copper chelators, copper ionophores, and copper complexes-based dynamic therapy is summarized. We also provide an overview of the latest research on the use of copper ionophores and complexes-based medicines to reduce tumor treatment resistance in various cancer types. We also go over the small-molecule substances and nanoparticles (NPs) that have the potential to induce Cuproptosis in cancer cells, which will provide fresh insight into the future development of Cuproptosis-inducing anticancer medications. Ultimately, the key ideas and urgent issues surrounding Cuproptosis that need to be addressed in further research were covered. Targeting Cuproptosis may be a potential anticancer therapy and treatment approach to overcome drug resistance in cancer, according to this review article. Keywords: Cuproptosis, cancer, chemo-resistance, malignancies, Cu homeostasis, Cu chelators