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Development of Inhibitors of Protein-protein Interactions through REPLACE: Application to the Design and Development Non-ATP Competitive CDK Inhibitors
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Clinical anticancer drug development: targeting the cyclin-dependent kinases

C Benson1, S Kaye, P Workman

  • 1Section of Medicine and Cancer Research UK Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Institute for Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT, UK.

British Journal of Cancer
|November 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Cell division is a critical cyclical process. Targeting cell-cycle proteins, like cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), offers potential for selective cancer cell killing.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Cell division is a fundamental cyclical process essential for life.
  • Aberrant cell division regulation is a key characteristic of all cancers.
  • Genetic and epigenetic alterations frequently disrupt cell-cycle protein expression and activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of cell-cycle proteins in cancer.
  • To investigate the potential of targeting cell-cycle proteins for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms affecting cell-cycle proteins.
  • Analysis of the function of cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), Cdk inhibitors, and checkpoint proteins.

Main Results:

  • Dysregulation of cell division is a hallmark of cancer.
  • Key cell-cycle proteins include cyclins, Cdks, Cdk inhibitors, and checkpoint proteins.
  • Altered expression and/or activity of these proteins are common in cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting cell-cycle proteins holds promise for cancer treatment.
  • Selective targeting may lead to cancer cell cytotoxicity.
  • Further research into these targets could yield valuable anticancer strategies.

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