Hyaluronic Acid as a Modern Approach in Anticancer Therapy-Review

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a linear polysaccharide and crucial component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), maintaining tissue hydration and tension. Moreover, HA contributes to embryonic development, healing, inflammation, and cancerogenesis. This review summarizes new research on the metabolism and interactions of HA with its binding proteins, known as hyaladherins (CD44, RHAMM), revealing the molecular basis for its distinct biological function in the development of cancer. The presence of HA on the surface of tumor cells is a sign of an adverse prognosis. The involvement of HA in malignancy has been extensively investigated using cancer-free naked mole rats as a model. The HA metabolic components are examined for their potential impact on promoting or inhibiting tumor formation, proliferation, invasion, and metastatic spread. High molecular weight HA is associated with homeostasis and protective action due to its ability to preserve tissue integrity. In contrast, low molecular weight HA indicates a pathological condition in the tissue and plays a role in pro-oncogenic activity. A systematic approach might uncover processes related to cancer growth, establish novel prognostic indicators, and identify potential targets for treatment action.

Automated summary

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an important component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and is involved in various biological functions, including embryonic development, healing, inflammation, and cancerogenesis. This review highlights the metabolism and interactions of HA with its binding proteins, such as CD44 and RHAMM, and their implications in cancer development. The presence of HA on tumor cells is associated with a poor prognosis, and studying HA in cancer-free naked mole rats provides insights into its role in malignancy.