PROTACs in Oncology: Emerging Frontiers for Next-Generation Cancer Therapeutics

PROTACs represent a cutting-edge approach to the discovery of innovative cancer therapies. By exploiting the cell’s ubiquitin–proteasome system, PROTACs induce the selective degradation of target proteins, providing a distinct advantage over conventional inhibitors that only block protein function. This review delves into the design principles and mechanisms underlying PROTACs, emphasizing their potential to circumvent drug resistance and achieve prolonged therapeutic effects. Recent advancements have focused on enhancing the specificity, bioavailability, and overall efficacy of PROTACs, demonstrating promising results in preclinical cancer models. The ability of PROTACs to target previously “undruggable” proteins opens new avenues for cancer treatment, offering the potential for more effective and personalized therapeutic strategies. As research continues to evolve, the optimization and clinical translation of PROTACs could declare a new era in oncology, revolutionizing the landscape of cancer drug discovery and personalized medicine.