Plk1-targeted therapies in TP53- or RAS-mutated cancer

Despite advances in treatment, prognosis for many types of carcinoma remains poor. Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) has been explored as a target for the development of anticancer drugs. As a mitotic master Ser/Thr kinase, Plk1 is involved in centrosomal maturation, microtubule nucleation, chromosomal segregation, and cytokinesis. Additional functions in interphase and in response to DNA damage have been revealed. The multiple locations of Plk1 correspond to distinct functions, mediated by phosphorylation of multiple substrates. Since it is highly expressed in several carcinomas, and expression of Plk1 is inversely correlated with the survival rate of patients in non-small cell lung, head and neck, and esophageal cancer, Plk1 is recognized as a valid prognostic marker. Connections between Plk1 and p53 or KRAS in carcinoma provide a rationale and several possible routes to the development of therapies. Tumors with both p53-deficiency and high Plk1 expression may be particularly sensitive to Plk1 inhibitors, although some controversial data exist. In KRAS-mutant cancers, on the other hand, Plk1 may be essential for tumor cell survival, but detailed studies as to whether Plk1 inhibitors are more effective in KRAS-mutant cancers must be performed in order to determine whether this is the case. Here, we present evidence for Plk1 as a prognostic marker and potentially effective target for the treatment of patients with carcinoma, to demonstrate the value of Plk1 as a target for the development of cancer treatment, especially for patients with solid tumors. In addition, the effects of Plk1 inhibition in p53- or KRAS-mutated cancer are discussed with respect to clinical implications. Structural specifics of Plk1 are presented, as well as current strategies for discovering new Plk1 inhibitors by targeting the conserved ATP binding site or polo-box domain of Plk1, in order to develop Plk1-specific anticancer drugs.