Masking MALT1: the paracaspase's potential for cancer therapy

Abstract

A key feature of aggressive B cell lymphomas is constitutive NF-kappaB activation, which requires signals from the CARD11-BCL-10-MALT1 (CMB) complex. The unique enzymatic activity of MALT1 degrades one of its binding partners, BCL-10, as well as the NF-kappaB inhibitor A20. New data shows that targeting MALT1 protease activity may be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating aggressive B cell lymphomas.