Playing Polo-Like Kinase in NRAS-Mutant Melanoma

J Invest Dermatol. 2015 Oct;135(10):2352-2355. doi: 10.1038/jid.2015.253.

Abstract

NRAS-mutant melanomas are extremely aggressive and highly resistant to currently available therapeutic modalities. Hence, new targets and therapeutic strategies for NRAS-driven melanomas are needed. As blocking NRAS directly has not been possible thus far, targeting downstream NRAS effectors, such as MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK), is being evaluated as an alternative therapeutic approach. However, blocking this pathway alone has limited efficacy. In this issue, Posch et al. report on a combination approach co-targeting polo-like kinase 1 and MEK in NRAS-mutant melanomas. This combination triggers a dual blockade of the cell cycle machinery, leading to apoptosis, and providing a new strategy to treat NRAS-mutant melanoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1 / metabolism*
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1