Pro-survival and proliferative kinases

Pro-survival and proliferative kinases represent a broad functional class of enzymes, including the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK/ERK pathways, that integrate extracellular signals to promote cell growth and prevent programmed cell death (NCBI, 2023). These kinases function by phosphorylating specific protein substrates, thereby activating downstream effectors that drive the cell cycle and metabolic reprogramming (UniProt, 2024). In many cancers, these pathways are hyperactivated through genetic mutations or overexpression, leading to uncontrolled proliferation and resistance to therapy (Nature Reviews Cancer, 2021). Therapeutic intervention typically involves small-molecule kinase inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies that block ATP binding or ligand-receptor interactions (PubMed, 2022). While highly effective, targeting these kinases often faces challenges such as the development of secondary mutations or the activation of compensatory bypass pathways (StatPearls, 2023). Monitoring biomarkers like phosphorylation states or specific genomic alterations is crucial for selecting patients likely to benefit from these targeted therapies (Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2022).

Other names

Survival kinasesGrowth signaling kinasesOncogenic protein kinasesMitogenic kinases

Inhibition of kinase catalytic activity by competing with ATP binding or through allosteric modulation, thereby preventing the phosphorylation of downstream substrates in signaling cascades (PubMed, 2022).