Targeting the sumoylation pathway in cancer stem cells

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subset of tumor cells with tumor-initiating potential. We recently demonstrated that inhibition of the sumoylation pathway cleared the CSC population and repressed the outgrowth of basal breast cancer xenografts. Targeting the sumoylation pathway offers a novel treatment strategy for basal breast cancer.

Sumoylation on its 25th anniversary: mechanisms, pathology, and emerging concepts

“…Taken together, it is possible that these findings constitute an integrated axis of IFN-controlled maintenance of CSCs through sumoylation. As such, therapeutic targeting of sumoylation could be key to eradicating resident CSCs [181,[185][186][187]. Inhibition of the SUMO pathway can also restore chemosensitivity in chemotherapy-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) [188], or sensitize non-APL AMLs to retinoid-induced differentiation therapy [189].…”

Post-translational modifications: The potential ways for killing cancer stem cells

“…The SUMO signaling pathway can regulate proteins implicated in carcinogenesis, thereby inducing cell proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis, and fostering metastatic potential, thereby promoting tumor progression and metastasis [ 103 , 104 ]. Moreover, evidence suggests that SUMOylation significantly influences the progression of CSCs, with inhibition of the SUMO pathway markedly impeding CSC function in breast and colorectal cancer [ 105 , 106 ]. Similarly, knockout of SUMO activase (E1) and SUMO binding enzyme (E2) significantly inhibits the maintenance and self-renewal of colorectal cancer stem cells [ 107 ].…”