Signal transduction pathway targets for anticancer drug discovery

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Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy
12:24

Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy

Published on: September 29, 2016

A A Adjei1

  • 1Mayo Clinic, Division of Medical Oncology, 200 First Street S. W., Rochester, MN 55905, USA. adjie.alex@mayo.edu

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|May 2, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Targeting novel molecular pathways is crucial for developing effective cancer chemotherapeutics. New agents inhibiting signal transduction molecules show promise for treating incurable epithelial cancers with reduced toxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Over 80 cancer agents exist, yet common epithelial cancers causing most deaths remain incurable.
  • Traditional drug development relies on empirical screening, yielding toxic, DNA-active agents with limited efficacy.
  • Novel molecular targets selective for cancer cells are needed to improve epithelial cancer cure rates and reduce toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the need for novel molecular targets in cancer chemotherapy.
  • To discuss the potential of signal transduction pathway inhibitors for treating epithelial malignancies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current cancer treatment landscape and drug development approaches.
  • Analysis of emerging therapeutic strategies targeting signal transduction pathways.
  • Identification of key molecular targets within these pathways.

Main Results:

  • Empirical drug development has led to toxic agents with limited efficacy against epithelial cancers.
  • Signal transduction pathway inhibitors are entering clinical trials.
  • These inhibitors target growth factor receptors, kinases, and protein regulation pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Novel molecular targets are essential for advancing cancer chemotherapy.
  • Signal transduction inhibitors represent a promising new class of anti-cancer agents.
  • Targeted therapies may offer improved efficacy and reduced toxicity for epithelial cancers.

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