Protein kinase inhibitors for the treatment of cancer

• Published in: Drug discovery today Vol. 1; no. 8; pp. 325 - 330
• Main Authors: Patrick, Denis R., Heimbrook, David C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.1996
• ISSN: 1359-6446; 1878-5832
• DOI: 10.1016/1359-6446(96)10030-1

Protein kinases are integrated into nearly every facet of the regulation of mammalian cellular proliferation. The identification of particular kinase isoforms and tissuespecific expression affords the possibility of precise targeting of specific regulatory pathways if potent, highly selective, cell-penetrable inhibitors can be developed. At the very least, such inhibitors would provide opportunities to dissect complex interconnected regulatory pathways in intact cells, and sustain the promise of the development of therapeutic leads. This paper reviews recent developments in the identification of protein kinase targets for the treatment of cancer, and in the design of selective inhibitors for these enzymes.