Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins (RIPs) in Cancer Therapy: A Review of Reviews from Mechanisms to Medical Breakthroughs in Immunotoxin
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.2192Keywords:
apoptosis, bioengineering, cancer therapy, cancer, immunotoxins, oncology, ribosome-inactivating proteins, RIPs, anticancerAbstract
Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are plant-derived toxins that inhibit protein synthesis by removing adenine residues from eukaryotic ribosomal RNA. RIPs exhibit antiviral, antifungal, and insecticidal properties, and their expression in plants increases under stress. Over a century of research has uncovered their significant impact in cancer therapy and medical research. This review traces the evolution of RIPs, from their discovery to their current applications in oncology, highlighting their ability to selectively induce apoptosis in malignant cells. The mechanisms underlying RIP-induced cell death are examined, focusing on enzymatic activity, structural classification, and apoptosis-inducing pathways. Special emphasis is placed on RIPs' role as components of immunotoxins, where they are conjugated with tumor-specific targeting agents to enhance therapeutic precision. Recent advances in molecular biology and bioengineering have facilitated the development of recombinant immunotoxins, addressing challenges such as off-target toxicity and limited specificity. By synthesizing insights from diverse studies, this review underscores the transformative potential of RIPs in precision oncology while identifying the need for further research to optimize their clinical application.
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