Ribosome-directed cancer therapies

Corrupted ribosome biogenesis is a hallmark of malignant cells and a focal point for therapeutic intervention. 

Strategies for ribosome-directed cancer therapies either suppress translation by targeting the ribosome, or suppress ribosome biogenesis (RiBi) to induce nucleolar stress. Efforts to target the ribosome are hampered by an inability to discriminate between ribosomes in normal and cancer cells.

New discoveries have cemented the concept that cancers express bespoke ribosomes with unique components that could be pharmacologically targeted to selectively inhibit ribosomes that translate tumor-sustaining mRNAs.

Recent advances in understanding RiBi and nucleolar stress signaling have exposed multiple new entry points for therapeutics that block the production of ribosome components and mature ribosomes. These advances can also help inform which patients will benefit most from RiBi blockade.

https://www.cell.com/trends/pharmacological-sciences/fulltext/S0165-6147(25)00021-5

https://sciencemission.com/Ribosome-directed-cancer-therapies