Cell-cycle targeted therapies

Charles Swanton1

  • 1Royal Marsden Hospital Breast Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK. RobertCharles.Swanton@rmh.nthames.nhs.edu

The Lancet. Oncology
|January 1, 2004
PubMed

Insights

The cell cycle controls eukaryotic cell division using protein families like cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases. Aberrations in these cell cycle regulators are common in human cancers, leading to new drug development.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Oncology

Background:

  • Eukaryotic cell division is governed by a conserved cell cycle.
  • Key regulators include cyclin D/E and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).
  • Dysregulation of cell cycle proteins is frequent in human tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review cell cycle regulatory protein families.
  • To discuss their role in cancer progression.
  • To highlight pharmacological strategies targeting the cell cycle.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of cell cycle regulation.
  • Analysis of protein family functions.
  • Examination of aberrations in cancer.
  • Overview of therapeutic approaches.

Main Results:

  • Cyclin D/E and CDKs drive cell cycle transition via retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation.
  • Two inhibitor families restrain cyclin/CDK activity.
  • Understanding these mechanisms informs cancer therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting cell cycle regulators offers potential for cancer treatment.
  • Further research into cell cycle control is crucial for developing novel cancer drugs.

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