The role of ASF1B in disease pathogenesis and treatment: from histone chaperone to clinical target

ASF1B is a critical molecular chaperone for histones H3 and H4 and functions as a core regulator of chromatin assembly, DNA replication, and repair. In recent years, multiple studies have revealed that ASF1B is abnormally overexpressed in various malignant tumors and is correlated with disease progression and poor prognosis, demonstrating its potential as a prognostic biomarker across different cancer types. ASF1B drives tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, treatment resistance, and immune evasion through multiple mechanisms, including direct regulation of the cell cycle, participation in DNA damage repair, and remodeling of the tumor immune microenvironment. Besides, its potential role in non-cancerous diseases has also begun to attract attention. This article systematically reviews the biological characteristics of ASF1B, its expression patterns and functional mechanisms in disease, and explores its translational clinical prospects as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target, aiming to provide new insights for the precision treatment of related diseases.