Recent insights how combined inhibition of immuno/proteasome subunits enables therapeutic efficacy

Genes Immun. 2020 Nov;21(5):273-287. doi: 10.1038/s41435-020-00109-1. Epub 2020 Aug 25.

Abstract

The proteasome is a multicatalytic protease in the cytosol and nucleus of all eukaryotic cells that controls numerous cellular processes through regulated protein degradation. Proteasome inhibitors have significantly improved the survival of multiple myeloma patients. However, clinically approved proteasome inhibitors have failed to show efficacy against solid tumors, neither alone nor in combination with other therapies. Targeting the immunoproteasome with selective inhibitors has been therapeutically effective in preclinical models for several autoimmune diseases and colon cancer. Moreover, immunoproteasome inhibitors prevented the chronic rejection of allogeneic organ transplants. In recent years, it has become apparent that inhibition of one single active center of the proteasome is insufficient to achieve therapeutic benefits. In this review we summarize the latest insights how targeting multiple catalytically active proteasome subunits can interfere with disease progression in autoimmunity, growth of solid tumors, and allograft rejection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / chemistry
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / chemistry
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism*
  • Proteasome Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Proteasome Inhibitors / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex