Novel Approaches for Upregulation of Tumor Suppressor Proteins: Pioneering Strategies and Integrative Potentials.

Abstract

In cancer therapy, the modulation of tumor suppressor proteins represents a critical frontier in developing innovative treatments. A promising direction in this field is the strategic upregulation of tumor suppressor proteins, a paradigm illustrated by the development of compounds designed to enhance the activity of the p53 protein. This protein, often called the "guardian of the genome", is crucial in preventing cancer development by inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and senescence in response to DNA damage and oncogenic stress. However, p53 function is compromised in many cancers, leading to unchecked cell proliferation and tumor progression. Addressing this challenge, a novel approach focuses on manipulating the p53/MDM2 signaling pathway to restore p53's tumor-suppressive functions.