Cyclin-Dependent Kinases and the Treatment of Cancer

Richard Finn, MD, Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, describes the development of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) for the treatment of cancer.

The inhibition of CDKs is a somewhat new approach to the treatment of cancer, Finn says, even though the biology has been known for a long time. For well over a decade, Finn continues, drugs have been developed aimed at targeting CDKs, though none have found a home in cancer management.

Clinical Pearls

CDKs play a key role in regulating cell cycle progression and at least nine have been identified. CDKs may play an important role in the treatment of breast cancer, Finn says, but also to the entire field of oncology.

• Inhibition of CDKs is a new approach to treating cancer, though the biology has been known for a long time
• CDKs play a key role in regulating cell cycle progression
• At least nine CDKs have been identified