The crucial role of small heat shock proteins in prostate cancer: mechanisms and new therapeutic perspectives.

As resistance to new anti-androgen drugs occurs more frequently, increasing numbers of researchers are exploring alternative key molecular targets for prostate cancer treatment. The small heat shock protein (sHSP) family is a subclass of heat shock proteins (HSPs). Due to the smaller molecular size of their monomers, they often function as large oligomeric complexes with diverse biological roles, thus garnering increasing attention from urologists. Different members of the sHSP family exhibit distinct biological roles in prostate cancer, offering a new perspective for precision therapy. In this review, we summarize the specific roles of sHSP family members in prostate cancer and analyze their similarities and differences. Additionally, we discuss and review the drugs targeting various sHSPs in prostate cancer, providing new insights into the exploration and further application of sHSP-targeted therapies.