Targeting PIM Kinases to Overcome Therapeutic Resistance in Cancer

Abstract

Cancer progression and the onset of therapeutic resistance are often the results of uncontrolled activation of survival kinases. The proviral integration for the Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinases are oncogenic serine/threonine kinases that regulate tumorigenesis by phosphorylating a wide range of substrates that control cellular metabolism, proliferation, and survival. Because of their broad impact on cellular processes that facilitate progression and metastasis in many cancer types, it has become clear that the activation of PIM kinases is a significant driver of resistance to various types of anticancer therapies. As a result, efforts to target PIM kinases for anticancer therapy have intensified in recent years. Clinical and preclinical studies indicate that pharmacologic inhibition of PIM has the potential to significantly improve the efficacy of standard and targeted therapies. This review focuses on the signaling pathways through which PIM kinases promote cancer progression and resistance to therapy, as well as highlights biological contexts and promising strategies to exploit PIM as a therapeutic target in cancer.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2021
Source ID
10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0535

Entities

People

  • Noel A Warfel
  • Rachel K. Toth

Organizations

  • American Cancer Society
  • United States Department of Defense
  • University of Arizona

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Cellular and Molecular Pathways of Apoptosis.
  • Criminal Law
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics