Aurora-A: A biomarker and a target for cancers

<p>Claude Prigent</p>

doi:10 .4172/2327-4581.1000411

Aurora-A: A biomarker and a target for cancers

Claude Prigent

Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes, France

: J Forensic Toxicol Pharmacol

Abstract

The Aurora-A protein kinase was discovered in Drosophila in 1995. The human kinase was identified in 1997 and found to be overexpressed in breast cancer cell lines. The function of the kinase in the assembly of the mitotic spindle as well as its oncogenic activity was discovered in 1998. Since then, an intensive search for kinase inhibitors to be used in cancer treatment has been undertaken. A large number of inhibitors have therefore been identified and tested in clinical trials. However, after 20 years and although a large number of inhibitors have been made available, none has yet succeeded in any phase III. Does this mean that Aurora-A is not a good target? I will try to convince you that Aurora-A is a biomarker and a target. Indeed the kinase is an oncogene but it also helps cancer cells to survive by high jacking cell mechanisms and by installing resistance to treatments using microtubule poisons or DNA damaging agents.