To elucidate the critical role of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and evaluate potential therapeutic strategies targeting DUBs, emphasizing their significance in overcoming treatment resistance.
Key Findings:
DUBs are critical in regulating CRC-related processes such as DNA damage response, metabolic reprogramming, and immune evasion, with specific examples including USP1 and USP7.
Various DUBs exhibit abnormal expression in CRC, contributing to tumor proliferation and treatment resistance.
DUBs from different families converge on common pathways that influence CRC progression.
Interpretation:
DUBs should be viewed as regulatory nodes that connect various biological processes in CRC, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets and the need for integrated approaches.
Limitations:
The article primarily focuses on DUBs with direct functional evidence in CRC, potentially overlooking others like UCHL1 that may have relevant roles.
The complexity of DUB interactions and their pathways may complicate the development of targeted therapies, necessitating further research.
Conclusion:
Understanding the functional convergence of DUBs in CRC can guide future research and therapeutic strategies, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted approaches that address the core mechanisms of CRC progression.
