Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay
12:26

Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay

Published on: May 3, 2018

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Cyclin-dependent kinases as therapeutic targets in cancer: Recent advances, challenges, and opportunities

Ning Ju1, Li Zhao1, Shanshan Yin1

  • 1Center for Cell Structure and Function, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China.

International Journal of Cancer
|March 8, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) targeting CDK4/6 and CDK2 show promise in cancer therapy. Dual inhibition may overcome resistance and enhance immunotherapy efficacy, offering new treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Dysregulated cell cycle progression is a hallmark of cancer, making cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) key therapeutic targets.
  • CDK inhibitors (CDKIs), especially targeting CDK4/6, are clinically active in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer.
  • Selective CDK2 inhibitors show antitumor activity, and dual CDK4/6 and CDK2 inhibition may overcome resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the CDK family and their role in cell cycle control.
  • To summarize clinical advances in CDK-targeted therapies, focusing on CDK4/6 and CDK2 inhibition.
  • To explore integrating CDK inhibitors with immunotherapy and other treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of CDK family functions and cell cycle control.
  • Analysis of recent clinical trial data for CDK inhibitors (CDK4/6 and CDK2).
  • Exploration of emerging evidence on CDKIs, senescence, and immunotherapy.

Main Results:

  • CDK4/6 inhibitors demonstrate clinical efficacy in specific breast cancer subtypes.
  • Selective CDK2 inhibitors exhibit promising antitumor activity.
  • CDKIs can induce cellular senescence and potentiate cancer immunotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • CDK-targeted therapies, particularly CDK4/6 and CDK2 inhibition, represent a significant advance in cancer treatment.
  • Dual inhibition strategies hold potential for overcoming therapeutic resistance.
  • Combining CDKIs with immunotherapy offers a promising avenue for enhancing treatment outcomes.
Keywords:
CDKcancer therapycell cyclecyclininhibitor

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