Natural and Synthetic PPARγ Ligands in Tumor Microenvironment: A New Potential Strategy against Breast Cancer

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 21; no. 24; p. 9721
• Main Authors: Augimeri, Giuseppina, Gelsomino, Luca, Plastina, Pierluigi, Giordano, Cinzia, Barone, Ines, Catalano, Stefania, Andò, Sebastiano, Bonofiglio, Daniela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 19.12.2020; MDPI
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis; Breast cancer; Breast carcinoma; Breast Neoplasms - immunology; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; cancer-associated adipocytes; cancer-associated fibroblasts; Cell growth; Clinical trials; Epithelial cells; Extracellular matrix; Female; Humans; Kinases; Ligands; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma; PPAR gamma - metabolism; PPARγ ligands; Review; Signal Transduction; Stromal cells; tumor microenvironment; Tumor Microenvironment - immunology; Tumors; tumor endothelial cells; cancer-associated fibroblasts; extracellular vesicles; cancer-associated adipocytes; PPARγ ligands; breast cancer; tumor microenvironment; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma; extracellular matrix components; tumor-associated macrophages
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249721

Multiple lines of evidence indicate that activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) by natural or synthetic ligands exerts tumor suppressive effects in different types of cancer, including breast carcinoma. Over the past decades a new picture of breast cancer as a complex disease consisting of neoplastic epithelial cells and surrounding stroma named the tumor microenvironment (TME) has emerged. Indeed, TME is now recognized as a pivotal element for breast cancer development and progression. Novel strategies targeting both epithelial and stromal components are under development or undergoing clinical trials. In this context, the aim of the present review is to summarize PPARγ activity in breast TME focusing on the role of this receptor on both epithelial/stromal cells and extracellular matrix components of the breast cancer microenvironment. The information provided from the in vitro and in vivo research indicates PPARγ ligands as potential agents with regards to the battle against breast cancer.