Recent updates and future perspectives about ALDH1B1 as a potential anticancer target: a review

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are responsible for the NAD(P)⁺-dependent oxidation of aldehydes into carboxylic acids, fulfilling key roles in detoxification, antioxidant defense, biosynthesis, and regulatory processes. Elevated expression and activity of ALDH isoenzymes have been documented in various human cancers, where they are linked to cancer recurrence. While the human genome encodes 19 functional ALDH genes, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1B1 (ALDH1B1) has emerged as a critical enzyme in diverse human pathologies. ALDH1B1 is a major mitochondrial enzyme involved in detoxifying lipid peroxidation by-products and metabolizing various aldehyde substrates. Notably, both low and high ALDH1B1 expression levels contribute to tumor progression and with marked variability observed across different tumor types. This review summarizes the essential functions and potential ALDH1B1 mechanisms in the tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic responses across cancer types. Our analysis indicates that ALDH1B1 is a potential therapeutic target for cancer therapy.