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Therapeutic Opportunities in Breast Cancer by Targeting Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor As a Pleiotropic Cytokine Publisher



Khezrian A1 ; Shojaeian A1 ; Khaghani Boroujeni A2 ; Amini R1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Institute of Cancer, Avicenna Health Research Institute (AHRI), Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
  2. 2. Skin Disease and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Source: Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research Published:2024


Abstract

As a heterogeneous disease, breast cancer (BC) has been characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of mammary epithelial cells. The tumor microenvironment (TME) also contains inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, the extracellular matrix (ECM), and soluble factors that all promote BC progression. In this sense, the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine and an upstream regulator of the immune response, enhances breast tumorigenesis through escalating cancer cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and stemness, which then brings tumorigenic effects by activating key oncogenic signaling pathways and inducing immunosuppression. Against this background, this review was to summarize the current understanding of the MIF pathogenic mechanisms in cancer, particularly BC, and address the central role of this immunoregulatory cytokine in signaling pathways and breast tumorigenesis. Furthermore, different inhibitors, such as small molecules as well as antibodies (Abs) or small interfering RNA (siRNA) and their anti-tumor effects in BC studies were examined. Small molecules and other therapy target MIF. Considering MIF as a promising therapeutic target, further clinical evaluation of MIF-targeted agents in patients with BC was warranted. © The Author(s) 2024.
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