Targeting USP28 inhibits clear cell renal cell carcinoma growth

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the most common type of kidney cancer, remains challenging to treat due to the lack of effective targeted therapies. Although c-Myc is frequently overexpressed in ccRCC, the mechanisms governing its stability are not well understood. Here, we identify the deubiquitinating enzyme USP28 as a key regulator of c-Myc protein stability in ccRCC. USP28 interacts with c-Myc, removes K48-linked polyubiquitin chains, and thereby prevents its proteasomal degradation, leading to c-Myc stabilization in ccRCC cells. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of USP28 significantly reduces c-Myc expression, impairs ccRCC cell proliferation in vitro, and suppresses tumor growth in vivo. Tumors with high c-Myc expression exhibit heightened sensitivity to USP28 inhibition, underscoring the therapeutic potential of targeting this axis. Collectively, our findings position USP28 as a promising therapeutic target for ccRCC.