Heat shock protein and proteasome targeting agents

Proteasome inhibitors such as PS-341 are novel agents with great potential as anticancer drugs. In early clinical studies, PS-341 was tolerated well with promising evidence of antitumor activity in diseases such as multiple myeloma. Studies also are ongoing in solid tumors, as single agent therapy and in combination with standard agents such as carboplatin. Although more research is needed to clarify the precise spectrum of antitumor activity of proteasome inhibitors, this novel approach to targeting human malignancies is highly promising.