Kinase Targeted Anticancer Agents: A Perspective

Abstract

The phosphate group present in the ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is transferred to the hydroxy group-containing tyrosine, serine, or threonine residue by the protein kinases encoded in the human genome. Till now, a large number of these kinases have been reported to be associated with the initiation and progression of human cancers. In clinical trials, it has been demonstrated that small-molecule kinase inhibitors can effectively cure a wide range of cancers. The FDA approved more than 40 kinase inhibitors for cancer treatment since the early 1980s when the first protein kinase inhibitor was developed. In this review, the authors explained the relevancies of the kinase with cancer. In addition, several FDA-approved drug candidates have been classified according to their binding with kinases.