title: Targeting LKB1 in cancer - exposing and exploiting vulnerabilities.
abstract: The LKB1 tumour suppressor is a serine/threonine kinase that functions as master regulator of cell growth, metabolism, survival and polarity. LKB1 is frequently mutated in human cancers and research spanning the last two decades have begun decoding the cellular pathways deregulated following LKB1 inactivation. This work has led to the identification of vulnerabilities present in LKB1-deficient tumour cells. Pre-clinical studies have now identified therapeutic strategies targeting this subset of tumours that promise to benefit this large patient population harbouring LKB1 mutations. Here, we review the current efforts that are underway to translate pre-clinical discovery of therapeutic strategies targeting LKB1 mutant cancers into clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Momcilovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Shackelford
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases