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Aurora-kinase inhibitors as anticancer agents

Nicholas Keen1, Stephen Taylor

  • 1Cancer and Infection Research Area, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Mereside, Alderley Park, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, UK. Nick.Keen@astrazeneca.com

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|December 2, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Errors in cell division (mitosis) can lead to genomic instability and cancer. Inhibiting Aurora kinases, which are key regulators of mitosis, shows promise as a cancer therapy due to their demonstrated in vivo anti-tumor activity.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Genomic instability, often stemming from mitotic errors, is a hallmark of cancer.
  • Aberrant expression of mitotic regulators in tumor cells presents therapeutic opportunities.
  • Aurora kinases (A, B, and C) are crucial regulators of mitosis and are implicated in tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the therapeutic potential of inhibiting Aurora kinases (A, B, and C) in cancer treatment.
  • To explore the insights gained from small-molecule inhibitors targeting Aurora kinases.
  • To assess the in vivo anti-tumor activity of these inhibitors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of studies involving small-molecule inhibitors of Aurora kinases.
  • Analysis of research on the role of Aurora kinases in mitosis and cancer.
  • Evaluation of in vivo data on the anti-tumor effects of Aurora kinase inhibition.

Main Results:

  • Small-molecule inhibitors effectively block Aurora kinase function.
  • These inhibitors have advanced the understanding of mitotic processes.
  • Significant in vivo anti-tumor activity of Aurora kinase inhibitors has been reported.

Conclusions:

  • Aurora kinases represent promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
  • Inhibition of Aurora kinases demonstrates potential for effective anti-cancer therapies.
  • Further research into Aurora kinase inhibitors is warranted for clinical application.

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