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Kinesins and cancer

Oliver Rath1, Frank Kozielski

  • 1The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1BD, Scotland, UK.

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|July 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Mitotic kinesins, crucial for cell division, are emerging as promising cancer drug targets. Inhibitors for kinesin Eg5 (KIF11) and CENPE are in clinical trials, with more targets under investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cell biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Kinesins are microtubule-based motor proteins essential for intracellular transport and cell division.
  • Mitotic kinesins play critical roles during cell division (mitosis).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the potential of mitotic kinesins as targets for cancer drug development.
  • To review the progress of kinesin-based cancer therapeutics currently in clinical trials.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current research and clinical trial data on mitotic kinesin inhibitors.
  • Identification and validation of novel mitotic kinesin targets for drug development.

Main Results:

  • Compounds inhibiting Eg5 (KIF11) and CENPE have advanced to Phase I and II clinical trials.
  • These inhibitors are being tested as monotherapies and in combination treatments.
  • Several additional mitotic kinesins are undergoing validation as potential drug targets.

Conclusions:

  • Mitotic kinesins represent a promising class of targets for novel cancer therapies.
  • The pipeline for kinesin-based cancer drugs is expanding, with potential for future therapeutic advancements.

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