CDK9 Inhibitors: A promising combination partner in treating hematological malignancies

“[…] CDK9 inhibitors could play a role in future treatments of hematological diseases and could be a great ally when combined with other therapeutic approaches.”  Credit: 2023 Morillo et al. “[…] CDK9 inhibitors could play a role in future treatments of hematological diseases and could be a great ally when combined with other therapeutic approaches.”  […]

Aug 9, 2023 - 20:00
CDK9 Inhibitors: A promising combination partner in treating hematological malignancies

“[…] CDK9 inhibitors could play a role in future treatments of hematological diseases and could be a great ally when combined with other therapeutic approaches.” 

Figure 1

Credit: 2023 Morillo et al.

“[…] CDK9 inhibitors could play a role in future treatments of hematological diseases and could be a great ally when combined with other therapeutic approaches.” 

BUFFALO, NY- August 9, 2023 – A new research perspective was published in Oncotarget’s Volume 14 on August 7, 2023, entitled, “CDK9 INHIBITORS: a promising combination partner in the treatment of hematological malignancies.”

In their new perspective, researchers Daniel Morillo, Gala Vega and Victor Moreno from Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz discuss Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) in hematological malignancies. CDKs belong to a family of serine/threonine kinases that need to form heterodimeric complexes with cyclins to perform their functions. These kinases are involved in multiple processes within cells, including cell cycle, apoptosis, transcription and differentiation. These kinases are often overexpressed in different malignancies, making them potential targets for new drugs. 

Most hematological malignancies are characterized by overexpression of certain cancer-promoting genes, such as MYC, MCL1 and cyclin D1. Preclinical studies in animal models have shown that CDK9 inhibitors suppress the transcription of these anti-apoptotic and pro-survival proteins, and suggest their potential synergism with other drugs. In its first in-human trial, enitociclib demonstrated clinical activity in a small cohort of patients with high grade B lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements, inducing complete responses in 2 of 7 subjects (29%) in monotherapy. 

“In summary, most hematological malignancies are characterized by overexpression of certain cancer promoting genes, such as MYC and MCL1. CDK9 inhibitors are relatively new drugs that inhibit transcription of these anti-apoptotic and pro-survival proteins.”
 

Read the full perspective: DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28473 

Correspondence to: Victor Moreno

Email: victor.moreno@startmadrid.com 

Keywords: cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK), CDK9, hematological malignancies
 

About Oncotarget: Oncotarget (a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal) aims to maximize research impact through insightful peer-review; eliminate borders between specialties by linking different fields of oncology, cancer research and biomedical sciences; and foster application of basic and clinical science.

To learn more about Oncotarget, visit Oncotarget.com and connect with us on social media:

  • Twitter 
  • Facebook 
  • YouTube 
  • Instagram 
  • LinkedIn 
  • Pinterest 
  • LabTube
  • Soundcloud

 

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article: https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28473 

Click here to subscribe to Oncotarget publication updates.

For media inquiries, please contact: media@impactjournals.com.

 

Oncotarget Journal Office

6666 East Quaker Str., Suite 1A

Orchard Park, NY 14127

Phone: 1-800-922-0957 (option 2)

###


What's Your Reaction?

like

dislike

love

funny

angry

sad

wow