Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in cancer

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2023 Mar 22;80(4):104. doi: 10.1007/s00018-023-04729-4.

Abstract

Targeted therapy is a new cancer treatment approach, involving drugs that particularly target specific proteins in cancer cells, such as receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) which are involved in promoting growth and proliferation, Therefore inhibiting these proteins could impede cancer progression. An understanding of RTKs and the relevant signaling cascades, has enabled the development of many targeted drug therapies employing RTK inhibitors (RTKIs) some of which have entered clinical application. Here we discuss RTK structures, activation mechanisms and functions. Moreover, we cover the potential effects of combination drug therapy (including chemotherapy or immunotherapy agents with one RTKI or multiple RTKIs) especially for drug resistant cancers.

Keywords: Cancer therapy; Drug resistance; Immune therapy; RTK inhibitors; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors*

Substances

  • Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases