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Published on: July 30, 2020

Aurora kinase family: a new target for anticancer drug

Teresa Macarulla1, Francisco Javier Ramos, Josep Tabernero

  • 1Medical Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.

Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery
|June 10, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Aurora kinases (AK) are critical for cell division and mitosis. Their dysregulation is linked to cancer, making them promising targets for new anticancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Aurora kinases (AK) are Serine/threonine protein kinases vital for cell cycle control.
  • Mitosis, the process of segregating sister chromatids, is crucial for cell division, and errors can lead to genomic instability and cancer.
  • AK are key regulators of chromatid segregation during mitosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of Aurora kinases in tumorogenesis.
  • To discuss the development of novel anticancer drugs targeting Aurora kinases.
  • To highlight recent advancements and relevant patents in AK-targeted cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on Aurora kinases in cell cycle regulation and cancer.
  • Analysis of experimental models demonstrating the effects of AK overexpression and downregulation.
  • Examination of clinical data on AK expression in various human cancers.

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of AK in experimental models leads to spindle defects, chromosome mis-segregation, and malignant transformation.
  • Downregulation of AK induces mitotic arrest and apoptosis in tumor cell lines.
  • Elevated AK expression is observed in breast, colon, pancreatic, ovarian, and gastric tumors, indicating their oncogenic role.

Conclusions:

  • Aurora kinases play a significant role in cell division and are implicated in the development of various cancers.
  • The inhibition of Aurora kinases presents a promising strategy for developing new anticancer drugs.
  • Targeting Aurora kinases offers a potential therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.

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