This book presents a distinctive and integrative perspective on the role of protein misfolding and proteostasis in two major disease areas, cancer and neurodegeneration. The book explores how disruptions in protein homeostasis contribute to pathological outcomes, highlighting both the adaptive exploitation of proteostasis networks in cancer and their collapse in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, and Huntington’s disease.

The volume is organized into four sections. It begins with foundational concepts in proteostasis, including protein folding, aggregation, and cellular quality control systems. The second section examines how cancer cells manipulate chaperones, the unfolded protein response, and degradation pathways to survive stress. The third section focuses on neurodegeneration and explains how proteostasis failure leads to toxic protein accumulation and neuronal death. The final section brings together insights from both fields and identifies shared molecular mechanisms and opportunities for therapeutic strategies that apply across diseases. The book also discusses emerging technologies such as AI-driven structural biology, molecular dynamics simulations, nanomedicine, and PROTACs. It addresses challenges in translating research into clinical applications and outlines a path toward developing future therapies that target proteostasis.

This volume is intended for researchers, clinicians, and students in molecular medicine, neuroscience, cancer biology, and drug discovery.

Anas Shamsi is a scientist specializing in structural biology, protein biochemistry, and computational drug discovery, with expertise in protein misfolding, proteostasis, and disease-associated protein dysfunction. He received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Aligarh Muslim University, India, in 2017. He has published more than 260 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, which have received over 30,000 citations, with an H-index of 53. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying protein structure, folding, misfolding, and disease using integrated structural, biochemical, and computational approaches. His work spans structure-based drug discovery, precision medicine, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders, with a particular interest in translating mechanistic insights into novel therapeutic strategies. Dr. Shamsi is a fellow of multiple scientific societies and has several international accolades. He is currently an Assistant Research Professor at Ajman University, UAE, where is leading the Structural Biology group.

Asimul Islam is a Professor at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India, and a researcher in protein biophysics with expertise in protein folding, stability, misfolding, and aggregation. He has published more than 290 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and has received over 10,000 citations. His research focuses on understanding the molecular and thermodynamic basis of protein stability and folding under physiological and crowded cellular conditions, including the role of naturally occurring osmolytes and other environmental factors. His work also encompasses the characterization of protein-folding intermediates, computational prediction of protein stability and function, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. His current research interests include protein misfolding, aggregation, and proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases. He has extensive experience in research, postgraduate teaching, doctoral supervision, and the coordination of scientific and academic programs.

Professor Vetriselvan Subramaniyan is a distinguished pharmacologist with over fifteen years of teaching and research experience across leading institutions in Malaysia, Ethiopia, and India. He has held key leadership positions, including Acting Dean and Deputy Dean, and has been involved in global health initiatives under the UNDP program. His research, highlighted by over 240 publications and eight international patents, has secured numerous prestigious grants. Dr. Vetriselvan is a fellow of multiple scientific societies, a keynote speaker, Ph.D. examiner, and visiting professor in India and China. He also serves as an overseas executive member of the Indian Pharmacological Society.

Dr. Moyad Jamal Shahwan is a Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Head of the Center of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research at the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, where he has been a faculty member since September 2009. With extensive expertise in clinical biochemistry, drug discovery, and metabolic diseases, he has made significant contributions to understanding complex biochemical pathways related to neurodegenerative diseases, cancer biology, and cardiovascular health. His recent research focuses on drug repurposing and the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease, leading to new insights into potential therapeutic targets. Dr. Shahwan has collaborated with national and international research institutions, producing a robust portfolio of impactful publications in top-tier, peer-reviewed journals. As the Founder and Head of the Medical & Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research Center, he has fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, establishing the center as a hub for innovative research.