Targeting Heme Oxygenase 2 (HO2) with TiNIR, a Theragnostic Approach for Managing Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Despite notable advancements in cancer therapeutics, metastasis remains a primary obstacle impeding a successful prognosis. Our prior study has identified heme oxygenase 2 (HO2) as a promising therapeutic biomarker for the aggressive subsets within tumor. This study aims to systematically evaluate HO2 as a therapeutic target of cancer, with a specific emphasis on its efficacy in addressing cancer metastasis. Through targeted inhibition of HO2 by TiNIR (tumor-initiating cell probe with near infrared), we observed a marked increase in reactive oxygen species. This, in turn, orchestrated the modulation of AKT and cJUN activation, culminating in a substantial attenuation of both proliferation and migration within a metastatic cancer cell model. Furthermore, in a mouse model, clear inhibition of cancer metastasis was unequivocally demonstrated with an HO2 inhibitor administration. These findings underscore the therapeutic promise of targeting HO2 as a strategic intervention to impede cancer metastasis, enhancing the effectiveness of cancer treatments.