Schlafens: Emerging Therapeutic Targets

Simple Summary The family of Schlafen (SLFN) genes are interferon-inducible genes that control various cellular processes such as anti-viral responses, RNA regulatory processes, interferon-dependent gene expression and biological responses, cell differentiation, cancer cell proliferation, and immune cell regulation. Depending on the context, some SLFNs may either mediate antitumor effects or indirectly contribute to cancer progression. Despite rapidly emerging advances in the field, the precise mechanisms by which these functionally divergent and differentially regulated SLFN family members engage in various aspects of human malignancies remain incompletely understood. Here, we highlight recent insights into the complicated roles of the SLFN family of proteins.Abstract The interferon (IFN) family of immunomodulatory cytokines has been a focus of cancer research for over 50 years with direct and indirect implications in cancer therapy due to their properties to inhibit malignant cell proliferation and modulate immune responses. Among the transcriptional targets of the IFNs is a family of genes referred to as Schlafens. The products of these genes, Schlafen proteins, exert important roles in modulating cellular proliferation, differentiation, immune responses, viral replication, and chemosensitivity of malignant cells. Studies have demonstrated that abnormal expression of various Schlafens contributes to the pathophysiology of various cancers. Schlafens are now emerging as promising biomarkers and potentially attractive targets for drug development in cancer research. Here, we highlight research suggesting the use of Schlafens as cancer biomarkers and the rationale for the development of specific drugs targeting Schlafen proteins.