The SUMO-specific protease family regulates cancer cell radiosensitivity

Abnormalities in the small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) pathway and the SUMO-specific proteases (SENPs) pathway are frequently observed in cancer. SUMOylation and deSUMOylation are dynamic processes in cells. SUMOylation of cancer-associated proteins may serve as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and a target for cancer therapy. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the role of SENPs in the radiosensitivity of cancer cells. SENPs regulate cancer cell radiosensitivity by mediating DNA damage repair, apoptosis, the cell cycle, and tumor angiogenesis. Here, we review the current understanding of the role of SENPs in tumor radiosensitivity.