SMP30: a promising cancer biomarker with therapeutic potential

INTRODUCTION: SMP30 is a calcium binding protein closely related to cellular senescence. Low expression of SMP30 is significantly associated with malignant progression and poor prognosis in tumors, suggesting it values as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target. CONTENT: We systematically review recent studies on SMP30 in human tumors, highlight its role in modulating tumor cells proliferation and apoptosis, and detail mechanism of its involvement in glycolipid metabolic reprogramming as well as its impact on the tumor microenvironment and metastasis. SUMMARY: SMP30 is involved in regulating cell cycle, maintaining intracellular homeostasis, and protecting cells from external damage. It supports cellular homeostasis and resistance to apoptosis by modulating intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations. The reduced expression of SMP30 elevates lipid peroxidation, accelerating cellular senescence and tissue damage. Furthermore, SMP30 affects macrophage polarization and modulates the tumor microenvironment by altering their cytokine secretion profiles. OUTLOOK: SMP30 is a key regulator of cellular senescence with significant implication in tumorigenesis. Low expression of SMP30 relates to multiple oncogenic mechanisms, including cell cycle, apoptosis, metabolic reprogramming, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), and immune evasion, which shows promising potential for early diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and targeted therapy of cancers.