Targeting proteostasis pathways for cancer therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is crucial for preventing cancer development.
• Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors are explored for cancer therapy but face toxicity issues.
• There is an urgent need for safer, effective cancer therapeutics targeting proteostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore HSP90 inhibition as a strategy to target cancer hallmarks by modulating proteostasis.
• To investigate cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) as a potential alternative to HSP90 inhibitors with reduced adverse effects.
• To extend the therapeutic potential of HSP90 inhibitors and CAP to inflammation-driven diseases.

Main Methods:

• Delineating the role of HSP90 inhibitors in cancer hallmark progression.
• Interrogating the link between proteostasis and redox homeostasis.
• Evaluating cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) as a therapeutic modality.

Main Results:

• HSP90 inhibition effectively targets multiple cancer properties by modulating cellular proteostasis.
• Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) emerges as a promising alternative to HSP90 inhibitors with fewer side effects.
• Both HSP90 inhibitors and CAP show potential for treating autoimmune diseases linked to inflammation and failed proteostasis.

Conclusions:

• HSP90 inhibition is a viable strategy for simultaneously targeting key cancer properties through proteostasis modulation.
• Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) presents a novel, safer therapeutic approach for cancers and inflammation-related disorders.
• The findings may reshape cancer treatment paradigms and offer new avenues for managing proteostasis and inflammation-related diseases.