EXPLORING SILIBININ AS AN INHIBITOR OF STAT3 IN NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER TREATMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR ATHLETIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The persistence of activated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is a critical pathogenic driver in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), predominantly triggered by receptor tyrosine kinases and serine kinases. Hyperactive phosphorylated STAT3 is implicated in the metastasis and development of drug resistance in NSCLC. This review delves into the role of STAT3 in fostering drug resistance within NSCLC frameworks and evaluates the potential of silibinin, a natural compound, as an effective STAT3 inhibitor. We discuss the multifaceted mechanisms through which silibinin impedes STAT3 activation, highlighting its promising therapeutic trajectory in NSCLC management. Furthermore, the synergy between silibinin and first-generation inhibitors, such as epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs), is explored to underscore enhanced treatment efficacies. The inherent cellular uptake challenges of silibinin are acknowledged, proposing nanotechnology solutions to enhance its bioavailability for optimized NSCLC intervention. This exploration not only advances our understanding of STAT3’s role in NSCLC but also emphasizes the emerging therapeutic avenues that could potentially benefit athletic health by mitigating the risks associated with lung health deterioration in athletes exposed to rigorous physical stress.