Cell cycle on the crossroad of tumorigenesis and cancer therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• Aberrant cell cycle progression is a hallmark of cancer, driving uncontrolled cell division.
• Cell cycle regulators are increasingly recognized as crucial targets for anticancer therapies.
• The cell cycle pathway is interconnected with cancer hallmarks like altered metabolism and immune evasion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the rationale behind targeting cell cycle regulators in cancer therapy.
• To highlight the potential of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in this therapeutic area.
• To explore how cell cycle targeting can impact cancer metabolism and immune responses.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on cell cycle regulation in cancer.
• Analysis of the integration of cell cycle pathways with other cancer hallmarks.
• Exploration of small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) and PROTACs as therapeutic modalities.

Main Results:

• Cell cycle targeting therapies can inhibit cancer cell proliferation.
• These therapies can potentially reverse cancer-associated metabolic reprogramming.
• Targeting cell cycle machinery may restore anti-cancer immune surveillance.

Conclusions:

• Targeting cell cycle machinery is a rational anticancer strategy.
• PROTACs represent a promising new approach for targeting cell cycle proteins.
• Combined effects on cell division, metabolism, and immunity offer enhanced therapeutic potential.