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Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
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Published on: September 18, 2013

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Targeting Sphingosine Kinases for the Treatment of Cancer

Clayton S Lewis1, Christina Voelkel-Johnson2, Charles D Smith3

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.

Advances in Cancer Research
|August 1, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Sphingosine kinases (SKs) drive tumor growth and inflammation. This review covers targeting SKs, focusing on ABC294640, a novel selective inhibitor of SK2, with preclinical and clinical data.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Sphingosine kinases (SK1 and SK2) are crucial enzymes in sphingolipid metabolism.
  • Dysregulated SK activity promotes tumor progression and inflammatory responses.
  • SKs represent attractive therapeutic targets for cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the scientific rationale for targeting sphingosine kinases.
  • To summarize the preclinical and clinical evidence for ABC294640, a selective SK2 inhibitor.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of sphingosine kinase inhibitors.
  • Analysis of preclinical data for ABC294640.
  • Summary of emerging clinical trial data for ABC294640.

Main Results:

  • Multiple SK inhibitors have been developed, with some progressing to clinical trials.
  • ABC294640 demonstrates selectivity for SK2.
  • Early clinical data for ABC294640 in cancer patients are emerging.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting sphingosine kinases offers a promising therapeutic strategy.
  • ABC294640 is a first-in-class selective SK2 inhibitor with potential in oncology.
  • Further clinical evaluation of ABC294640 is warranted.
Keywords:
ABC294640CancerInflammationSphingolipidSphingosine 1-phosphateSphingosine kinase

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