Potential Alteration of Tumor Microenvironments by β-Mercaptoethanol

Abstract

The therapeutic effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients is quite profound. However, it is generally accepted that further progress is curtailed by accompanying adverse events and by low cure rates linked to the tumor microenvironment. The multitudes of immune processes altered by low-molecular-weight thiols published over the past decades suggest they have potential to alter tumor microenvironment processes which could result in an increase in immune checkpoint inhibitor survival rates. Based on one of the most studied and most potent low-molecular-weight thiols, β-mercaptoethanol (BME), it is proposed that clinical assessment be undertaken to identify any BME benefits with relevance for proliferation/differentiation of immune cells, lymphocyte exhaustion, immunogenicity of tumor antigens and inactivation of suppressor cells/factors. The BME alterations projected to be most effective are: maintenance/replacement of glutathione in lymphocytes via facilitation of cysteine uptake, inhibition of suppressor cells/soluble factors and inactivation of free-radical, reactive oxygen species.

Emerging roles of ferroptosis in pulmonary fibrosis: current perspectives, opportunities and challenges

“…High-dose NAC inhalation therapy shows promise in rectifying the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance observed in lung tissue of IPF patients, thereby ameliorating fibrotic progression [ 180 ]. β-mercaptoethanol functions as a reducing agent that facilitates cysteine uptake for maintaining optimal GSH levels [ 181 , 182 ]. Studies have demonstrated that β-mercaptoethanol can inhibit the proliferation of human lung fibroblasts by modulating ferroptosis-related pathway [ 183 ].…”