The Emerging Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Oct 18;19(10):3219. doi: 10.3390/ijms19103219.

Abstract

The family of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) has critical functions in cell cycle regulation and controlling of transcriptional elongation. Moreover, dysregulated CDKs have been linked to cancer initiation and progression. Pharmacological CDK inhibition has recently emerged as a novel and promising approach in cancer therapy. This idea is of particular interest to combat pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a cancer entity with a dismal prognosis which is owed mainly to PDAC's resistance to conventional therapies. Here, we review the current knowledge of CDK biology, its role in cancer and the therapeutic potential to target CDKs as a novel treatment strategy for PDAC.

Keywords: CDK; cyclin-dependent kinase; pancreatic cancer; pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / etiology*
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / genetics*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Multigene Family
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases