Breaking the oncogenic alliance: advances in disrupting the MTDH–SND1 complex for cancer therapy

Abstract

Metadherin (MTDH/AEG-1/LYRIC) partners with Staphylococcal Nuclease Domain-Containing Protein 1 (SND1) to form an oncogenic hub that drives proliferation, survival and metastasis in many tumors. Interrupting this interaction dampens pivotal pathways—including NF-κB, PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin—and simultaneously promotes SND1 degradation, yielding broad antitumor effects. This review consolidates current knowledge of the MTDH–SND1 axis and highlights preclinical studies showing that genetic knock-out or pharmacologic blockade of the complex can sharply reduce primary growth and metastatic spread. We summarize structural studies that map the binding interface, emphasizing the essential MTDH tryptophan pair and the SN1/SN2 barrels of SND1, and we survey therapeutic approaches designed to exploit these determinants. Candidate disruptors range from phage-derived stapled peptides to small molecules unearthed by high-throughput and structure-guided screens; several demonstrate potent cytotoxicity in cell lines and xenografts, particularly when delivered through cell-penetrating motifs or nanoformulations. We also examine hurdles that protein–protein interaction inhibitors must overcome, such as off-target toxicity, metabolic instability and limited bioavailability, and discuss combination regimens that may amplify efficacy. Finally, we outline emerging avenues—PROTAC-mediated degraders, rational biomarker selection and advanced drug-delivery technologies—that could sharpen specificity and accelerate clinical translation. Together, these data validate MTDH–SND1 disruption as a versatile strategy against treatment-refractory cancers.