The role of CDK6 in cancer

Int J Cancer. 2020 Dec 1;147(11):2988-2995. doi: 10.1002/ijc.33054. Epub 2020 May 30.

Abstract

The regulation and function of cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6)- and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4)-cyclin complexes are commonly altered with enhanced kinase activity found in hematopoietic malignancies, breast cancer and melanoma making CDK4 and CDK6 attractive targets for therapeutic interference. Although dual CDK4/6 inhibitors have revolutionized treatment of breast cancer patients and reveal promising results in several solid tumors and hematological malignancies, there is a need for novel compounds targeting the versatile kinase-independent functions of CDK6 to improve cancer treatment. The following review summarizes the latest findings on CDK6 in cancer development and discusses novel therapeutic approaches to selectively inhibit CDK6s function as a transcriptional regulator.

Keywords: CDK4; CDK4/6 inhibitors; CDK6; cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 / genetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Precision Medicine
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • CDK6 protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6