Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is an evolutionary preserved
molecular chaperone which mediates many cellular processes such as cell transformation, proliferation, and survival in normal and stress conditions. Hsp90 plays an important role in folding, maturation, stabilization and activation of Hsp90 client
proteins which all contribute to the development, and proliferation of
cancer as well as other inflammatory diseases. Functional inhibition of Hsp90 can have a massive effect on various oncogenic and inflammatory pathways, and will result in the degradation of their client
proteins. This turns it into an interesting target in the treatment of different
malignancies. 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG) as a semi-synthetic derivative of
geldanamycin, has several advantages over
17-Allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) such as higher water solubility, good bioavailability, reduced metabolism, and greater anti-tumour capability.
17-DMAG binds to the Hsp90, and inhibits its function which eventually results in the degradation of Hsp90 client
proteins. Here, we reviewed the pre-clinical data and clinical trial data on
17-DMAG as a single agent, in combination with other agents and loaded on nanomaterials in various
cancers and inflammatory diseases.