Figure 3.

Strategies targeting cancer cells based on HSP27 inhibition. (A) Small molecules, such as quercetin and RP101 (brivudine), can directly bind to HSP27 and suppress its function. (B) Peptide aptamers such as PA11 and PA50 can specifically bind to HSP27, inhibiting HSP27 dimerization or oligomerization, thereby disabling its function. (C) The final strategy applies Apatorsen (OGX-427), an antisense oligonucleotide that binds to HSP27 mRNA and blocks HSP27 translation, thereby HSP 27 protein production inhibited. Consequently, the amount of HSP27 is reduced, causing cell death, which protects the cell through its anti-apoptotic activity. Reprinted (adapted) with permission from Ref. [61]. Copyright 2013, Elsevier.