Understanding Cell Proliferation

Understanding cell division may provide new ways to fight cancer. Disrupted passage through mitosis often leads to chromosome missegregation, which has long been recognized as a possible cause of tumorigenesis and a characteristic of cancer cells. On the other hand, drugs that target mitotic spindle assembly are frequently used to treat various types of human tumours.

This webinar will review aspects of cell cycle regulation, namely our results in Plk1 and aurora kinases. We will discuss the functions of the Plk1 in cell cycle progression, detailing its role in initiating mitosis and in kinetochore-microtubule attachment. These mechanisms of action are essential for correct cell division. Importantly, preclinical findings lead to the identification of promising Plk1 inhibitors, some of which are now in clinical investigation, including in phase III clinical trials.