Deubiquitinases in lung cancer: Oncogenic mechanisms, metabolic reprogramming, immune evasion, and therapeutic targeting. (PubMed, Pathol Res Pract)
In LSCC, USP28 stabilizes c-MYC, ΔNp63, and SREBP2; in LUAD, USP22 emerges as an integrative node coupling proliferation, EZH2-mediated MHC-I silencing, PD-L1 stabilization, and ferroptosis resistance; and in SCLC, USP1 mediates NK-cell evasion and MAST1-dependent cisplatin resistance, whereas USP13 sustains FASN-dependent cancer stem cell states. Therapeutic strategies are evolving from small-molecule inhibitors (GNE-6776, AZ1, and SJB2-043) to OTUB1-recruiting deubiquitinase-targeting chimeras (DUBTACs), DCAF-based PROTACs, and repurposed agents (rolapitant, ixazomib, and chidamide). Most evidence remains preclinical; substrate redundancy, validated biomarkers, and selectivity challenges must be addressed before DUB-directed strategies can be translated into biomarker-stratified combination therapies.