Overview of role of survivin in cancer: expression, regulation, functions, and its potential as a therapeutic target

Abstract

Survivin holds significant importance as a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family due to its predominant expression in tumours rather than normal terminally differentiated adult tissues. The high expression level of survivin in tumours is closely linked to chemotherapy resistance, heightened tumour recurrence, and increased tumour aggressiveness and serves as a negative prognostic factor for cancer patients. Consequently, survivin has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In this review, we delve into the various biological characteristics of survivin in cancers and its pivotal role in maintaining immune system homeostasis. Additionally, we explore different therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting survivin.

Keywords:

• Survivin
• cancer
• IAP
• apoptosis
• mitosis
• T cell development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Academician Expert Workstation Grants (No. 19R1002275468, 20R9004076411, and 21R4007547098) to Shanghai Yuansong Biotechnology Co., Ltd., National Natural Science Foundation for Young Scientists of China (31701220, 81372453, and 81572999), and Science and Technology Project (19431904200) in Biomedical Field in Shanghai, entitled with the name ‘Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan’ for the Year of 2019.