Targeting Survivin: Now I Become Death, the Destroyer of Cells

Survivin (BIRC5) plays a key role in inhibiting apoptosis and is highly expressed in many cancers, including gliomas and breast cancer, where it contributes to tumor progression, therapeutic resistance and poor patient outcomes. With a dual function in promoting cell proliferation and survival, coupled with its potential immunogenicity, survivin is a compelling therapeutic target for cancer; yet, it has no FDA-approved agents to date. Here, we review key findings from preclinical models that emphasize how survivin contributes to chemoresistance and radioresistance; summarize the clinical landscape of survivin-targeted strategies, highlighting both the successes and limitations of these approaches; and outline next steps to optimize survivin-targeted therapies, including the need to integrate biomarker-focused patient selection and the potential for combination therapies. These insights establish survivin as a key driver of cancer progression and a promising target for future therapeutic development.