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Therapy resistance: Modulating evolutionarily conserved heat shock protein machinery in cancer

Ilona Skrabalak1, Alicja Rajtak2, Beata Malachowska3

  • 1The First Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.

Cancer Letters
|February 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) help cancer cells survive therapy, leading to relapse. Targeting HSPs offers a promising new strategy to overcome cancer drug resistance and improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Therapy resistance is a significant obstacle in cancer treatment, contributing to patient relapse and mortality.
  • Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are upregulated in cancer cells, aiding adaptation to tumor microenvironment (TME) stressors.
  • HSPs play a critical role in the progression of cancer and the development of drug resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of HSPs in cancer therapy resistance.
  • To highlight recent advancements in understanding HSP machinery.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting HSPs in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on HSPs and cancer therapy resistance.
  • Analysis of the mechanisms by which HSPs contribute to TME stress adaptation.
  • Exploration of current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting HSPs.

Main Results:

  • HSP synthesis is elevated in cancer cells, promoting survival under various TME conditions.
  • HSPs are implicated in multiple mechanisms of therapy resistance.
  • Targeting HSPs demonstrates potential for overcoming treatment resistance.

Conclusions:

  • HSPs are key mediators of cancer therapy resistance.
  • Understanding HSP function provides insights into novel therapeutic approaches.
  • Targeting HSPs represents a promising strategy to enhance cancer treatment efficacy.
Keywords:
cancer, HSPs, cancer hallmarks, drug resistance, AI, TME, tumor immunity, machine learning

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