ISG15: A double edged sword in cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Aberrant expression of Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15 (ISG15) transcript is common in human cancers.
• ISG15's role in malignancy is complex, with transcript suggesting protumor functions.
• ISG15 protein exhibits both protumor and immunomodulatory antitumor functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dual role of ISG15 in human malignancies.
• To explore therapeutic strategies targeting the ISG15 pathway for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of ISG15 expression at transcript and protein levels in various cancers.
• Evaluation of ISG15's protumor and antitumor functions.

Main Results:

• ISG15 transcript overexpression correlates with malignancy, suggesting a protumor role.
• ISG15 protein demonstrates a dual function, possessing both protumor and immunomodulatory antitumor activities.
• The immunomodulatory antitumor functions of ISG15 present therapeutic potential.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the dual role of ISG15 is crucial for cancer therapy.
• Therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing ISG15's immunomodulatory antitumor functions could benefit cancer patients, particularly those with high ISG15 pathway expression.