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Small Heat Shock Proteins in Cancers: Functions and Therapeutic Potential for Cancer Therapy

Jixian Xiong1, Yuting Li1, Xiangyu Tan1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Shenzhen University International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518039, China.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|September 15, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are crucial for cellular stress response and protein balance. Their widespread presence in tumors links them to cancer progression and suggests potential as therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are ATP-independent molecular chaperones.
  • sHSPs are vital for managing cellular stress and maintaining protein homeostasis.
  • Aberrant sHSP expression is frequently observed in various cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of sHSPs in cancer development.
  • To highlight recent advancements in targeting sHSPs for cancer therapy.
  • To discuss future challenges and opportunities in sHSP-based cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on sHSPs and cancer.
  • Analysis of the role of sHSPs in cancer hallmarks.
  • Examination of sHSPs as therapeutic targets in oncology.

Main Results:

  • sHSPs are ubiquitously expressed in tumors and correlate with cancer progression.
  • sHSPs influence tumorigenesis, cell growth, apoptosis, metastasis, and chemoresistance.
  • Specific sHSPs show promise as validated targets for cancer therapy.

Conclusions:

  • sHSPs play multifaceted roles in cancer biology.
  • Targeting sHSPs represents a promising strategy for novel cancer therapies.
  • Further research is needed to overcome challenges in clinical applications.
Keywords:
cancercancer stem cellscancer therapysHSPs

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