Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics
06:00

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics

Published on: May 14, 2016

Mitosis as an anti-cancer drug target

Anna-Leena Salmela1, Marko J Kallio

  • 1VTT Biotechnology for Health and Wellbeing, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4C, Pharmacity Bldg, 4th Floor, P.O. Box 106, 20521, Turku, Finland.

Chromosoma
|June 19, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Targeting cell division (mitosis) offers a cancer treatment strategy. Researchers are exploring new drugs that target mitotic proteins to overcome limitations of current therapies like neuropathy and resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Targeting mitosis is a key strategy in cancer therapy.
  • Current microtubule-targeting chemotherapy drugs have significant limitations, including neuropathy and drug resistance.
  • Novel mitotic targets are needed to improve cancer treatment efficacy and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the latest advancements in novel mitotic drug targets for cancer intervention.
  • To summarize the discovery and clinical evaluation of new therapeutic targets in mitosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on mitotic targets.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data for novel mitotic inhibitors.
  • Summary of drug discovery efforts for specific mitotic kinases and proteins.

Main Results:

  • Several novel mitotic targets, including Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), Aurora kinases, Mps1, Cenp-E, and KSP/Eg5, are under investigation.
  • Early clinical evaluations show promise for some of these new targets.
  • Identification of potential biomarkers for patient stratification is ongoing.

Conclusions:

  • Novel mitotic targets represent a promising avenue for developing more effective and less toxic cancer therapies.
  • Continued research and clinical evaluation are crucial for translating these discoveries into clinical practice.
  • Targeting specific mitotic pathways may overcome resistance mechanisms associated with traditional chemotherapy.

More Related Videos

Generation of Prostate Cancer Cell Models of Resistance to the Anti-mitotic Agent Docetaxel06:44

Generation of Prostate Cancer Cell Models of Resistance to the Anti-mitotic Agent Docetaxel

Published on: September 8, 2017

Long-term Live-cell Imaging to Assess Cell Fate in Response to Paclitaxel08:29

Long-term Live-cell Imaging to Assess Cell Fate in Response to Paclitaxel

Published on: May 14, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis02:15

M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis

Checkpoints throughout the cell cycle serve as safeguards and gatekeepers, allowing the cell cycle to progress in favorable conditions and slow or halt it in problematic ones. This regulation is known as the cell cycle control system.
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.