Targeting RhoA/Rho Kinase and p21-Activated Kinase Signaling to Prevent Cancer Development and Progression
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery
Abstract
Elevated RhoA/Rho kinase and p21-activated kinase signaling have been shown to promote cancer development and metastasis and have drawn much attention as potential targets of anti-cancer therapy. Elevated RhoA and Rho kinase activity promote cancer cell invasion and eventually lead to metastasis by disrupting E-cadherin-mediated adherens junctions and degradation of the extracellular matrix. Elevated p21-activated kinase activity promotes invasion by stimulating cell motility but also promotes cancer cell survival and growth. In this review we describe normal functions of RhoA/Rho kinase and p21-activated kinase signaling, mechanisms that lead to constitutive activation of RhoA/Rho kinase and p21-activated kinase pathways, and processes by which constitutive RhoA/Rho kinase and p21-activated kinase activity promote cancer development and progression to more aggressive and metastatic phenotypes. In addition, we summarize relevant patents on RhoA/Rho kinase and p21-activated kinase as targets of anti-cancer therapy and discuss the clinical potential of different approaches to modulate RhoA/Rho kinase and p21-activated kinase signaling.
DOI
10.2174/157489209788452830
Publication Date
6-2009
ISSN
2212-3970
Recommended Citation
Chang YE, Bean RR, Jakobi R. Targeting RhoA/Rho Kinase and p21-Activated Kinase Signaling to Prevent Cancer Development and Progression. Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery. 2009; 4(2). doi: 10.2174/157489209788452830.
