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Targeting shelterin proteins for cancer therapy

Wioletta Brankiewicz-Kopcinska1, Anoop Kallingal2, Radoslaw Krzemieniecki2

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza St 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland; Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway.

Drug Discovery Today
|June 6, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Targeting the shelterin protein complex offers a novel cancer therapy strategy. Disrupting shelterin function in cancer cells exploits telomere vulnerabilities for potential genomic instability and improved treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic targets.
  • The shelterin protein complex protects telomeres, structures critical for genomic stability.
  • Shelterin influences DNA damage response (DDR) pathways involving ATM and ATR kinases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in targeting the shelterin complex for cancer therapy.
  • To explore the potential of developing selective molecules against shelterin.
  • To highlight the exploitation of telomere vulnerabilities in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature on shelterin complex and its role in cancer.
  • Analysis of recent therapeutic strategies targeting shelterin.
  • Evaluation of the impact of shelterin disruption on cancer cell survival and genomic stability.

Main Results:

  • Shelterin plays a key role in cancer cell survival by maintaining telomere integrity.
  • Disrupting shelterin function can lead to telomere vulnerability and genomic instability in cancer cells.
  • Targeting shelterin presents a promising strategy for developing innovative cancer treatments.

Conclusions:

  • The shelterin complex is a significant target for novel anticancer therapies.
  • Selective molecules targeting shelterin could exploit cancer-specific telomere vulnerabilities.
  • Further research into shelterin-targeted therapies holds promise for innovative cancer treatments.
Keywords:
shelterin complexshelterin inhibitorsshelterin proteinsstructure-based drug designtelomere

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