Targeting the RNA-binding protein HuR in cancer.

The RNA-binding protein human antigen R (HuR) is a well-established regulator of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. HuR dysregulation has been implicated in various human diseases, particularly cancer. HuR is considered "active" in cancer when it shows increased subcellular localization in the cytoplasm, in addition to its normal nuclear localization. Cytoplasmic HuR plays a crucial role in stabilizing and enhancing the translation of pro-survival mRNAs that are involved in stress responses relevant to cancer progression. The abundance and activity of HuR in cancer cells compared to normal cells makes it an appealing target for cancer treatment. This review aims to explore the role of HuR in homeostasis and cancer pathophysiology, as well as current targeting strategies. Furthermore, we discuss recent studies investigating potential synergy between HuR inhibition and traditional chemotherapeutics, which support the potential of exploiting the principles underlying the function of HuR in tumorigenesis and resistance to stressors to enhance the efficacy of other therapies.