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Assessment of Resistance to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors by an Interrogation of Signal Transduction Pathways by Antibody Arrays
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Assessment of Resistance to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors by an Interrogation of Signal Transduction Pathways by Antibody Arrays

Published on: September 19, 2018

Pim kinases in cancer: diagnostic, prognostic and treatment opportunities

Carmen Blanco-Aparicio1, Amancio Carnero2

  • 1Experimental Therapeutics Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain.

Biochemical Pharmacology
|October 9, 2012
PubMed

Insights

PIM kinases (PIM1, PIM2, PIM3) are serine/threonine kinases involved in cell cycle regulation and anti-apoptosis. Upregulated in cancers, they are promising targets for anticancer drug discovery.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • PIM proteins are a family of three highly similar serine/threonine kinases (PIM1, PIM2, PIM3).
  • PIM kinases play crucial roles in cell cycle progression, inhibiting apoptosis, and mediating receptor tyrosine kinase signaling via the JAK/STAT pathway.
  • Elevated PIM kinase expression is observed in various hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of PIM kinases as oncogenes driving tumorigenesis.
  • To summarize the progress in validating PIM kinases as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on PIM kinase function and expression in cancer.
  • Analysis of data linking PIM kinase activity to oncogenic processes.
  • Evaluation of preclinical and clinical data for PIM kinase inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • PIM kinases, despite being considered weak oncogenes, are significantly implicated in cancer development and progression.
  • The JAK/STAT pathway is a key mediator of PIM kinase-driven oncogenic functions.
  • Numerous small molecule inhibitors targeting PIM kinases have been developed and are under investigation.

Conclusions:

  • PIM kinases are validated as important drivers of tumorigenesis and represent promising therapeutic targets.
  • Targeting PIM kinases offers a potential strategy for treating various hematological and solid tumors.
  • Further research is warranted to optimize PIM kinase inhibitors for clinical efficacy and safety.

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