Given its significant role in cancer cell survival and adaptation, IRE1 is an attractive target for cancer therapy. Inhibitors of IRE1's kinase and endoribonuclease activities are being explored as potential cancer therapeutics. For example, small molecule inhibitors that block IRE1's endoribonuclease activity can prevent the splicing of XBP1 mRNA, thus disrupting the UPR and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Combination therapies targeting IRE1 along with other pathways are also being investigated to enhance therapeutic efficacy.
