Open Access

REVIEW

The Role of UFMylation in the Development and Progression of Gastric Cancer

Ying Fang^1,2,3,#, Anqi Wu^2,4,#, Yu-Sheng Cong^5,*, Guoqing Li^1,2,*

1 Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
2 Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Pharmacological Research of Gastrointestinal Cancer, The Second Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
3 The Second Clinical Medical School, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
4 Department of Clinical Research Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
5 Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhenjiang Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China

* Corresponding Authors: Yu-Sheng Cong. Email: ; Guoqing Li. Email:
# These authors contributed equally to this work

Oncology Research 2025, 33(11), 3231-3245. https://doi.org/10.32604/or.2025.066402

Received 08 April 2025; Accepted 11 August 2025; Issue published 22 October 2025

Abstract

Gastric Cancer (GC) is a highly prevalent and poorly prognostic gastrointestinal malignancy with low overall treatment efficacy worldwide. Early diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for GC treatment are urgently needed. UFMylation, a novel ubiquitin-like modification is indispensable for numerous fundamental cellular processes. Deficiency in this modification is reported to be associated with several human diseases including cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that the expression of the key UFMylation components is closely associated with GC cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. Recent clinical studies have further highlighted the prognostic value and therapeutic potential of UFMylation in the clinical management of GC. However, the precise molecular mechanisms through which UFMylation contributes to GC remain largely unclear. This review aims to summarize recent findings on the functional roles of UFMylation in diverse cellular processes, such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis, DNA damage response (DDR), protein translation, and quality control pathways, discuss potential underlying mechanisms in GC development and progression, and to explore potential therapeutic implications targeting the UFMylation pathway in GC.

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Keywords

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