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Published on: May 14, 2016
Targeting mitotic pathways for endocrine-related cancer therapeutics
Shivangi Agarwal1, Dileep Varma2
1Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyFeinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Abstract:
A colossal amount of basic research over the past few decades has provided unprecedented insights into the highly complex process of cell division. There is an ever-expanding catalog of proteins that orchestrate, participate and coordinate in the exquisite processes of spindle formation, chromosome dynamics and the formation and regulation of kinetochore microtubule attachments. Use of classical microtubule poisons has still been widely and often successfully used to combat a variety of cancers, but their non-selective interference in other crucial physiologic processes necessitate the identification of novel druggable components specific to the cell cycle/division pathway. Considering cell cycle deregulation, unscheduled proliferation, genomic instability and chromosomal instability as a hallmark of tumor cells, there lies an enormous untapped terrain that needs to be unearthed before a drug can pave its way from bench to bedside. This review attempts to systematically summarize the advances made in this context so far with an emphasis on endocrine-related cancers and the avenues for future progress to target mitotic mechanisms in an effort to combat these dreadful cancers.
Insights
Targeting cell division offers new cancer therapies. This review explores targeting mitotic mechanisms, especially for endocrine-related cancers, to develop novel drugs for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Extensive research has elucidated complex cell division processes, identifying numerous proteins involved in spindle formation, chromosome dynamics, and kinetochore-microtubule attachments.
- Classical microtubule poisons are used in cancer treatment but lack specificity, affecting essential physiological processes.
- Cell cycle deregulation, unscheduled proliferation, and genomic instability are hallmarks of cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review advances in targeting cell division mechanisms for cancer therapy.
- To emphasize the potential of targeting mitotic mechanisms in endocrine-related cancers.
- To identify novel druggable targets within the cell cycle/division pathway.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of basic research on cell division.
- Analysis of protein functions in mitosis, spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation.
- Focus on endocrine-related cancers and their specific vulnerabilities in cell division.
Main Results:
- Identification of key proteins and pathways regulating cell division.
- Understanding of how these mechanisms are altered in cancer, particularly endocrine cancers.
- Highlighting the potential for developing targeted anti-mitotic therapies.
Conclusions:
- Targeting cell division offers a promising avenue for novel cancer therapeutics.
- Further research is needed to translate bench discoveries into effective bedside treatments for endocrine-related cancers.
- Developing specific anti-mitotic drugs could overcome limitations of current therapies.
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