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Methods to Study Cancer Therapeutic Drugs That Target Cell Cycle Checkpoints

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Cell Cycle Checkpoints

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 782))

Abstract

Cell cycle checkpoints operating through a network of multiple signaling pathways provide a key mechanism for self-defense of cells against DNA damage caused by various endogenous or environmental stresses. In cancer treatment, checkpoints are activated in response to diverse DNA-damaging agents and radiation, thus representing a critical barrier limiting therapeutic efficacy. To date, despite efforts to target other components of checkpoint signaling pathways (e.g., ATM, Chk2, Wee1), checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) remains the most important target for cancer treatment because of its functional association with essentially all cell cycle checkpoints. The primary goal in the development of therapeutic agents targeting cell cycle checkpoints continues to be improving the anti-cancer activity of chemo- and radiotherapy by abrogating checkpoints necessary for DNA repair, thereby killing cancer cells through engagement of the apoptotic machinery.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by awards CA63753, CA 93738, and CA100866, and 1 P50 CA130805-01, 1 P50CA142509-01 and its DRP award (29859/98018093) from the National Cancer Institute, Senior Research Award from Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, award 6045-03 from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America, and an award from the V Foundation.

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  1. Hematology/Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 23298, Richmond, VA, USA

    Yun Dai & Steven Grant

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  1. Yun Dai
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Correspondence to Yun Dai .

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  1. , Department of Medicine, University of California, Gilman Drive #0063 9500, La Jolla, 92093-0063, California, USA

    Willis X. Li

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Dai, Y., Grant, S. (2011). Methods to Study Cancer Therapeutic Drugs That Target Cell Cycle Checkpoints. In: Li, W. (eds) Cell Cycle Checkpoints. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 782. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-273-1_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-273-1_19

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