Protein Kinases – High Yield Targets for Cancer and Dementia Drug Discovery

Cellular protein kinases are involved in diverse normal cellular functions. Many types of dysregulation of protein kinases are the molecular basis for development of common cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. More than 80 small-molecule protein kinase inhibitors now are available and FDA-approved for successful treatment of cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. Newly designed protein kinase inhibitors and related forms of therapy based on a greater understanding of molecular mechanisms have diminished the appearance of disease resistance to protein kinase inhibitors and other side-effects. These advances will further promote the success of protein kinase inhibitors in treatment of common cancers, Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.