Clinical anticancer drug development: targeting the cyclin-dependent kinases

doi:doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6602229

British Journal of Cancer (2005) 92, 7–12. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6602229 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 23 November 2004

Clinical anticancer drug development: targeting the cyclin-dependent kinases

C Benson¹, S Kaye¹, P Workman¹, M Garrett¹, M Walton¹ and J de Bono¹

¹Section of Medicine and Cancer Research UK Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Institute for Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT, UK

Correspondence: Dr JS de Bono, E-mail: johanndebono@hotmail.com

Received 23 June 2004; Revised 7 October 2004; Accepted 11 October 2004; Published online 23 November 2004.

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Abstract

Cell division involves a cyclical biochemical process composed of several step-wise reactions that have to occur once per cell cycle. Dysregulation of cell division is a hallmark of all cancers. Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms frequently result in deranged expression and/or activity of cell-cycle proteins including the cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), Cdk inhibitors and checkpoint control proteins. The critical nature of these proteins in cell cycling raises hope that targeting them may result in selective cytotoxicity and valuable anticancer activity.