journal article·2026-06-21

Precision‐Engineered PROTACs: Integrating Physical and Chemical Strategies for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Hong Yao, Yujing Zhang, Haibo Zhao, Meng Liu, Chang Liu, Pengyun Wang, Wujun Chen, Zhu Guo, Dongming Xing, Jinghua Yang, Bing Li, Chao Wang

Publisher page

Abstract

ABSTRACT Proteolysis‐targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have emerged as a transformative therapeutic strategy for targeted protein degradation, offering substantial potential for treating various diseases by specifically eliminating pathogenic proteins. However, the clinical translation of PROTAC technology faces significant challenges due to limited target selectivity, which may lead to off‐target effects and potential toxicity in healthy tissues. Recent advances have focused on developing conditionally activatable PROTAC systems to improve their specificity and safety profile. This review comprehensively examines two primary classes of engineered PROTACs: (i) physically regulated systems, including photo‐activatable, radiation, and ultrasound‐activatable platforms, and (ii) chemically controlled approaches employing bioorthogonal conjugation strategies. We systematically analyze their molecular mechanisms, current clinical applications in oncology, and existing limitations regarding therapeutic efficacy and safety. The development of these precisely controlled PROTAC platforms promises to significantly enhance the clinical utility of targeted protein degradation technology in modern drug discovery.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Protein Degradation and Inhibitors · Click Chemistry and Applications · HER2/EGFR in Cancer Research

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Pharmacy Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University Jinan Shandong China

Qingdao Medical College Qingdao University Qingdao Shandong China

Department of Clinical Pharmacy The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital Jinan Shandong China

Department of Orthopedics Zibo Central Hospital Zibo Shandong China

Cancer Institute The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Qingdao University Qingdao Shandong China

School of Life Sciences Tsinghua University Beijing China

Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University Jinan Shandong China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · China Postdoctoral Science Foundation · Qingdao Postdoctoral Science Foundation

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