Modulating polo-like kinase 1 as a means for cancer chemoprevention

Pharm Res. 2010 Jun;27(6):989-98. doi: 10.1007/s11095-010-0051-8. Epub 2010 Jan 27.

Abstract

Naturally occurring agents have always been appreciated for their medicinal value for both their chemopreventive and therapeutic effects against cancer. In fact, the majority of the drugs we use today, including the anti-cancer agents, were originally derived from natural compounds, either in their native form or modified to enhance their bioavailability or specificity. It is believed that for maximum effectiveness, it will useful to design novel target-based agents for chemoprevention as well as the treatment of cancer. Recent studies have shown that the serine/threonine kinase polo-like kinase (Plk) 1 is widely overexpressed in a variety of cancers and is being increasingly appreciated as a target for cancer management. Additionally, several chemopreventive agents have been shown to inhibit Plk1 in cancer cells. In this review, we will discuss if Plk1 could also be a target for designing novel strategies for cancer chemoprevention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Chemoprevention
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Polo-Like Kinase 1
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases