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USP22 in human cancers: mechanistic insights and inhibitor development

Baobao Zhou1, Ziyi Lin2, Yong Guo3

  • 1School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China; Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong, 264117, China.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
|April 24, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22) deubiquitinates key proteins, driving cancer progression. Inhibiting USP22 shows promise for suppressing tumors and overcoming therapy resistance, though clinical translation faces hurdles.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Ubiquitination regulates protein stability and cellular signaling, crucial in cancer development.
  • Deubiquitinases (DUBs) like USP22 remove ubiquitin chains, impacting protein degradation and pathways.
  • USP22 targets histones and oncogenic proteins (e.g., c-Myc, FOXP3, HIF-1α), influencing tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of USP22 in cancer initiation and development.
  • To discuss USP22's dysregulation in various cancers and its association with tumor progression.
  • To summarize recent advancements in developing USP22 inhibitors as potential cancer therapeutics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on USP22 function in cancer.
  • Analysis of USP22's role in deubiquitinating histones and oncogenic proteins.
  • Examination of preclinical data on USP22 inhibition for cancer treatment.

Main Results:

  • USP22 dysregulation is linked to tumor progression, cancer stemness, invasion, and therapy resistance.
  • USP22 inhibition demonstrates efficacy in suppressing tumor growth in preclinical models.
  • USP22 inhibition enhances antitumor immune responses and overcomes drug resistance.

Conclusions:

  • USP22 is a significant factor in cancer development and progression.
  • USP22 inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic strategy for oncology.
  • Challenges remain in the clinical translation of USP22-targeted therapies.
Keywords:
AntitumorCancer progressionDeubiquitinationInhibitorUSP22

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