Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
10:26
Profiling Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like Dependent Post-translational Modifications and Identification of Significant Alterations
Published on: November 7, 2019
Ubiquitin-Specific Protease Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances and Future Prospects
Mohamad Bakkar1,2, Sara Khalil3, Komal Bhayekar1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Biomolecules
|February 26, 2025
Summary
Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) are key targets for new cancer therapies. USP inhibitors show promise in enhancing cancer immunotherapy and overcoming drug resistance.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Cancer treatment traditionally relies on chemotherapy.
- Targeted therapies and immunotherapies offer new treatment avenues.
- Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) regulate protein homeostasis and cellular processes critical in cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structural and functional characteristics of USPs in cancer.
- To explore the discovery, mechanisms, and clinical potential of USP inhibitors.
- To highlight the role of USP inhibitors in enhancing cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of USP structure, function, and inhibition.
- Analysis of USP inhibitors' mechanisms of action and clinical trial progress.
- Discussion of challenges in USP inhibitor development and future directions.
Main Results:
- USPs are involved in key cancer-related pathways.
- USP inhibitors demonstrate potential in modulating the tumor microenvironment and immune responses.
- Clinical trials show progress but face challenges in selectivity and potency.
Conclusions:
- USP inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer.
- Further development is needed to optimize selectivity and overcome resistance.
- Targeting USPs holds potential for personalized cancer medicine and combination therapies.
Related Concept Videos
02:04Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
6.8K
Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
6.8K
01:15Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules
2.0K
Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.0K
02:34Inhibition of Cdk Activity
4.6K
The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
4.6K
02:49Cancer Therapies
7.5K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
7.5K
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
7.4K
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.4K
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
4.8K
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
4.8K