What Challenges Exist in Targeting the UPS for Cancer Therapy?
Despite the success of proteasome inhibitors like bortezomib, challenges remain. Cancer cells can develop resistance to these drugs through various mechanisms, such as mutations in proteasome subunits or activation of compensatory pathways. Additionally, the ubiquitin proteasome system is integral to normal cellular function, so systemic inhibition can lead to significant toxicities. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the distinct roles of UPS components in cancer versus normal cells is essential to develop more targeted therapies.
