Rising Star in Immunotherapy: Development and Therapeutic Potential of Small-Molecule Inhibitors Targeting Casitas B Cell Lymphoma-b (Cbl-b)

J Med Chem. 2024 Jan 25;67(2):816-837. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01361. Epub 2024 Jan 5.

Abstract

Casitas B cell lymphoma-b (Cbl-b) is a vital negative regulator of TCR and BCR signaling pathways, playing a significant role in setting an appropriate threshold for the activation of T cells and controlling the tolerance of peripheral T cells via a variety of mechanisms. Overexpression of Cbl-b leads to immune hyporesponsiveness of T cells. Conversely, the deficiency of Cbl-b in T cells results in markedly increased production of IL-2, even in the lack of CD28 costimulation in vitro. And Cbl-b-/- mice spontaneously reject multifarious cancers. Therefore, Cbl-b may be associated with immune-mediated diseases, and blocking Cbl-b could be considered as a new antitumor immunotherapy strategy. In this review, the possible regulatory mechanisms and biological potential of Cbl-b for antitumor immunotherapy are summarized. Besides, the potential roles of Cbl-b in immune-mediated diseases are comprehensively discussed, with emphasis on Cbl-b immune-oncology agents in the preclinical stage and clinical trials.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Immunotherapy
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell* / drug therapy
  • Mice
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl* / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing