Journal of Oral Science Research ›› 2023, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (9): 771-774.DOI: 10.13701/j.cnki.kqyxyj.2023.09.002

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Advancements in Application of Copper Death in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Cancer

WANG Chenchen1*, XU Yu2   

  1. 1. Department of Stomatology, Qinhuai Medical District, General Hospital, Eastern War Zone, Nanjing 210001, China;
    2. Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
  • Received:2022-08-22 Online:2023-09-28 Published:2023-09-25

Abstract: Oral cancer is the sixth most frequently occurring type of cancer in the world, whose incidence is on the rise in China. How to alleviate patients'pain and improve their prognosis through effective treatment is an issue worthy of our research and discussion. Recent research has identified a copper-dependent form of cell death known as 'cuprotosis'. Copper binds directly to the lipid acylated fraction involved in mitochondrial respiration, contributing to the aggregation of lipidated proteins and the reduction of iron-sulphur cluster proteins, resulting in a proteotoxic response that leads to cell death. Because abnormalities of copper homeostasis in the body can affect the growth of tumour cells, the efficacy of copper homeostasis in the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies has attracted much attention in recent years. This paper briefly describes three copper-mediated anti-tumour mechanisms and a variety of novel copper complexes involved in solving clinical problems in oral malignancies. We hope that this will provide a reference for the clinical management of oral cancer.

Key words: copper homeostasis, cuprotosis, oral cancer, oxidative stress, antitumor therapy