Ubiquitin‑conjugating enzymes as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for digestive system cancers (Review)

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Digestive system cancers are a leading cause of cancer death globally.
• Current treatments lack precise targeting, necessitating further research.
• The ubiquitin-proteasome system regulates protein degradation, with E2 enzymes being key players.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s) in various digestive system cancers.
• To explore E2s as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
• To summarize progress in understanding E2 functions in digestive cancers.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of E2s in gastric, liver, pancreatic, colorectal, bile duct, gallbladder, and esophageal cancers.
• Analysis of E2 involvement in cancer hallmarks like proliferation, migration, and drug resistance.
• Synthesis of current research on E2s in digestive system tumorigenesis.

Main Results:

• E2s are implicated in tumor stage, differentiation, and prognosis of digestive cancers.
• E2s influence critical cancer processes including proliferation, invasion, stemness, drug resistance, and autophagy.
• Specific E2s show significant roles across multiple digestive system malignancies.

Conclusions:

• Ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s) are vital in digestive system cancer development and progression.
• E2s represent promising candidates for early detection biomarkers.
• Targeting E2s may offer novel therapeutic strategies for digestive system cancers.