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Chaperonopathies and chaperonotherapy. Hsp60 as therapeutic target in cancer: potential benefits and risks

Francesco Cappello1, Francesca Angileri, Everly Conway de Macario

  • 1Dipartimento di Biomedicina Sperimentale e Neuroscienze Cliniche, Sezione di Anatomia Umana, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|August 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) shows promise as an anticancer therapy target. Research explores Hsp60

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) is increasingly recognized for its role beyond cellular stress response.
  • Aberrant Hsp60 expression and localization are implicated in various pathologies, including cancer.
  • Novel concepts of chaperonopathies and chaperonotherapy highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting chaperones.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review Hsp60 as a target for anticancer therapy.
  • To discuss the emerging fields of chaperonopathies and chaperonotherapy.
  • To explore the therapeutic applications of anti-Hsp60 antibodies in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Hsp60.
  • Analysis of Hsp60 cell membrane localization in human tumor cells.
  • Examination of mechanisms for extracellular Hsp60 translocation.
  • Evaluation of anti-Hsp60 antibodies in human sera.
  • Assessment of potential therapeutic strategies and side effects.

Main Results:

  • Hsp60 is found on the cell membrane of human tumor cells.
  • Novel mechanisms involving membrane-associated stages facilitate Hsp60's extracellular release.
  • Anti-Hsp60 antibodies are present in sera of both healthy individuals and patients with autoimmune diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Hsp60-targeted anticancer therapy is a viable avenue, particularly for tumors expressing or secreting Hsp60.
  • Further research into Hsp60 translocation mechanisms is crucial for optimizing chaperonotherapy.
  • Therapeutic strategies using anti-Hsp60 antibodies require careful evaluation of efficacy and potential side effects.

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