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Roles of Uridine Diphosphoglucuronosyltransferase 2B Enzymes in Cancer Susceptibility and Treatment: A Review

Suresh Kumar Srinivasamurthy1, Vijaya Paul Samuel2, Tarig Hakim Merghani Hakim3

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, RAK College of Medicine, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 2B (UGT2B) enzymes are key in cancer by affecting hormone levels, carcinogen detoxification, and drug response. Targeting UGT2B offers new precision oncology strategies for improved cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • UGT2B enzymes are phase II metabolizers critical for clearing hormones, carcinogens, and drugs.
  • Dysregulation of UGT2B enzymes impacts cancer susceptibility, progression, and treatment outcomes.
  • This review focuses on UGT2B family members (UGT2B4, UGT2B7, UGT2B10, UGT2B15, UGT2B17, UGT2B28) in oncogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize the genetic, regulatory, and functional roles of UGT2B enzymes in cancer.
  • To review evidence on how UGT2B alterations influence hormone homeostasis, detoxification, and drug resistance.
  • To highlight UGT2B enzymes as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers in precision oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive review of molecular, epidemiological, pharmacogenetic, and clinical studies.
  • Analysis of UGT2B expression patterns, polymorphisms, copy number variations, and epigenetic regulation.
  • Examination of microRNA-mediated control of UGT2B in various cancers.

Main Results:

  • UGT2B alterations affect intratumoral hormone levels, carcinogen metabolism, and drug resistance in prostate, breast, lung, colorectal, and hematological cancers.
  • UGT2B enzymes metabolize anticancer drugs, influencing pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and toxicity.
  • Context-specific roles of UGT2B members are crucial for understanding cancer development and treatment response.

Conclusions:

  • UGT2B enzymes are multifunctional determinants of cancer risk and therapeutic outcomes.
  • Targeting UGT2B enzymes via inhibitors or modulators presents opportunities for combination therapies.
  • UGT2B enzymes show promise as biomarkers and actionable targets for personalized cancer treatment and optimized drug regimens.
Keywords:
UGT2BUGT2B10UGT2B15UGT2B17UGT2B7cancercancer drugsuridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases

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