PROTACs Targeting Molecular Targets in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Abstract

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is defined as a type of breast cancer having the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptors. So far, chemotherapeutic drugs and immunotherapy have several issues, such as being resistant to treatment, being harmful to the body, and not being fully effective. Lately, PROTACs have been discovered to assist in the breakdown of difficult-to-target oncoproteins employing the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This review focuses on PROTACs used in TNBC, identifying BET proteins, SRC-1, PARP1, FAK, c-Myc, and CDKs as the primary molecular targets of PROTACs in this type of cancer. PROTACs can help overcome drug resistance, degrade harmful proteins over a prolonged period, and enhance the performance of these new therapies in clinical research. BETd-246, ND1-YL2, and pal-pom PROTACs have shown promise in reducing cancer progression and spread in TNBC. Additionally, the use of PROTACs to target EZH2, AR, and TRIM24 demonstrates that this approach offers great flexibility. While these findings are promising, it remains challenging to achieve better pharmacokinetics, maintain product stability, increase bioavailability, enhance selectivity, and prevent potential toxicity. New developments in PROTAC design and clinical results suggest that the strategy could lead to improved treatments for TNBC patients, helping them live longer and better.