Targeting Nitric Oxide: Say NO to Metastasis

Abstract

Utilizing targeted therapies capable of reducing cancer metastasis, targeting chemoresistant and self-renewing cancer stem cells, and augmenting the efficacy of systemic chemo/ radiotherapies is vital to minimize cancer-associated mortality. Targeting nitric oxide synthase (NOS), a protein within the tumor microenvironment, has gained interest as a promising therapeutic strategy to reduce metastatic capacity and augment the efficacy of chemo/radiotherapies in various solid malignancies. Our review highlights the influence of nitric oxide (NO) in tumor progression and cancer metastasis, as well as promising preclinical studies that evaluated NOS inhibitors as anticancer therapies. Lastly, we highlight the prospects and outstanding challenges of using NOS inhibitors in the clinical setting.