Aurora A and B kinases--targets of novel anticancer drugs

Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov. 2010 Nov;5(3):219-41. doi: 10.2174/157489210791760517.

Abstract

The Aurora Kinases are highly related serine-threonine kinases, essential for accurate and equal segregation of genomic material during mitosis. A large number of studies have linked the aberrant expression of Aurora kinases to cancer, leading to the development of specific Aurora kinases inhibitors. Several small molecules inhibit with a similar efficacy both Aurora A and Aurora B, however, in most cases the effects resemble Aurora B disruption by genetic methods, indicating that Aurora B represents an effective therapeutic target. These drugs are currently under preclinical or clinical evaluation and are reviewed in this article. The relevant patents are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Aurora Kinase B
  • Aurora Kinases
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • AURKB protein, human
  • Aurora Kinase B
  • Aurora Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases