Overexpression of IAP proteins has been documented in various solid and hematological malignancies, rendering them resistant to standard chemotherapeutics and radiation therapy and conferring poor prognosis.
Blockade of the CD47:SIRP-α axis between tumor cells and innate immune cells (monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells) increases tumor cell phagocytosis in both solid tumors (including, but not limited to, bladder, breast, colon, lung, and pancreatic) and hematologic malignancies.
Further insights into the signaling pathways that are under the control of IAP proteins and into the specific IAP protein-dependent vulnerabilities of hematological neoplasms are expected to pave the avenue to novel treatment strategies.
Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins and chromosome passenger complex, is expressed in hematologic malignancies and overexpressed in relapsed pediatric ALL.
Given their role in the development and progression of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, efforts are underway to develop therapeutic IAP inhibitors, with a focus on X-linked IAP (XIAP) and survivin.