Open Access

REVIEW

Targeting cell cycle regulators: A new paradigm in cancer therapeutics

by GARIMA SINGH^#, SONIKA KUMARI SHARMA^#, NEELU MISHRA, AASTHA SONI, MANSHI KUMARI, SAMARENDRA KUMAR SINGH^*

School of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP-221005, India

* Corresponding Author: SAMARENDRA KUMAR SINGH. Email:
# These authors contributed equally

BIOCELL 2024, 48(12), 1639-1666. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2024.056503

Received 24 July 2024; Accepted 30 October 2024; Issue published 30 December 2024

Abstract

Dysregulation of the cell cycle is a molecular hallmark of cancer, which leads to uncontrolled proliferation and self-renewal of neoplastic cells. To maintain this phenotype, cells acquire multiple molecular alterations and bypass several cellular checkpoints that are involved in the prevention of genomic instability and uncontrolled cell proliferation. Therefore, targeting cell cycle regulators could prove to be a promising anti-cancer approach. Recent advancements in the understanding of cancer cell susceptibilities have revealed a therapeutic opportunity to selectively target the cell cycle in malignant cells. This review highlights major cell cycle dysregulation in cancerous cells and the latest developments on anti-cancer agents that target cell cycle factors which are either in clinical practice or in clinical trials at present. In light of increasing drug resistance in cancer patients, the article also discusses mechanistic insights for the exploration of probable therapies that could be used to target these cell cycle factors. Additionally, it outlines the future research necessary to develop new therapies and optimize existing ones to achieve maximum efficacy. Thus, this article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the advancements in cancer therapies targeting dysregulated cell cycle factors.

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Graphic Abstract

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Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material File

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