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Published on: July 17, 2020
Targeting PIM kinases in cancer therapy: An update on pharmacological small-molecule inhibitors
Siwei Chen1, Yushang Yang1, Yong Yuan1
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Abstract:
PIM kinases, a serine/threonine kinase family with three isoforms, has been well-known to participate in multiple physiological processes by phosphorylating various downstream targets. Accumulating evidence has recently unveiled that aberrant upregulation of PIM kinases (PIM1, PIM2, and PIM3) are closely associated with tumor cell proliferation, migration, survival, and even resistance. Inhibiting or silencing of PIM kinases has been reported have remarkable antitumor effects, such as anti-proliferation, pro-apoptosis and resensitivity, indicating the therapeutic potential of PIM kinases as potential druggable targets in many types of human cancers. More recently, several pharmacological small-molecule inhibitors have been preclinically and clinically evaluated and showed their therapeutic potential; however, none of them has been approved for clinical application so far. Thus, in this perspective, we focus on summarizing the oncogenic roles of PIM kinases, key signaling network, and pharmacological small-molecule inhibitors, which will provide a new clue on discovering more candidate antitumor drugs targeting PIM kinases in the future.
Insights
PIM kinases (PIM1, PIM2, PIM3) drive cancer growth and resistance. Inhibiting these kinases shows significant antitumor potential, highlighting them as key targets for novel cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- PIM kinases are serine/threonine kinases involved in numerous cellular processes.
- Aberrant PIM kinase expression is linked to cancer proliferation, migration, survival, and drug resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the oncogenic roles of PIM kinases.
- To review the key signaling networks involving PIM kinases.
- To discuss current pharmacological small-molecule inhibitors targeting PIM kinases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of PIM kinase functions in cancer.
- Analysis of signaling pathways regulated by PIM kinases.
- Overview of preclinical and clinical studies on PIM kinase inhibitors.
Main Results:
- PIM kinases promote tumor progression and resistance.
- Inhibition of PIM kinases demonstrates antitumor effects like anti-proliferation and apoptosis induction.
- Several small-molecule inhibitors show therapeutic promise but lack clinical approval.
Conclusions:
- PIM kinases are validated therapeutic targets for human cancers.
- Further research into PIM kinase inhibitors is crucial for developing new anticancer drugs.
- Understanding PIM kinase signaling networks can guide future drug discovery efforts.
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