Targeting NEK Kinases in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Insights into Gene Expression, Function, and Inhibitors

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 26(5), P. 1992 - 1992

Published: Feb. 25, 2025

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, which mainly include malignancies of the esophagus, stomach, intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and bile duct, pose a significant global health burden. Unfortunately, prognosis for most GI cancers remains poor, particularly in advanced stages. Current treatment options, including targeted immunotherapies, are less effective compared to those other cancer types, highlighting an urgent need novel molecular targets. NEK (NIMA related kinase) kinases group serine/threonine (NEK1-NEK11) that play role regulating cell cycle, mitosis, various physiological processes. Recent studies suggest several members overexpressed human gastrointestinal can contribute tumor progression drug resistance. Among these, NEK2 stands out its consistent overexpression all types cancer. Targeting with specific inhibitors has shown promising results preclinical studies, gastric pancreatic cancers. The development clinical evaluation have emerged as therapeutic strategy. Specifically, inhibitor, T-1101 tosylate, is currently undergoing trials. This review will focus on gene expression functional roles NEKs well progress developing inhibitors.

Language: Английский

Mitochondrial ribosomal proteins: potential targets for cancer prognosis and therapy

Frontiers in Oncology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: April 30, 2025

Mitochondrial ribosomal proteins (MRPs) are essential components of mitochondrial ribosomes, responsible for translating encoded by DNA and maintaining energy metabolism function. Emerging evidence suggests that MRPs exhibit significant expression changes in multiple cancer types, profoundly affecting tumor biology through modulating oxidative stress levels, inducing metabolic reprogramming, disrupting cell cycle regulation, inhibiting apoptosis, promoting mitophagy, remodeling the microenvironment. Specifically, have been implicated proliferation, migration, invasion, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets. This review summarizes multifaceted roles cancer, focusing on impact microenvironment prognostic biomarkers We also explore implications precision oncology, particularly patient stratification design targeted therapies, offering new insights research directions precise prevention treatment cancer.

Language: Английский