A patent review of CHK1 inhibitors (2019 - present).

Abstract

Introduction: Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1), a serine/threonine kinase, plays an important role in the DNA damage response (DDR), such as cell cycle checkpoints, DNA repair, transcriptional regulation, and apoptosis inhibition. CHK1 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. To date, over 15 CHK1 inhibitors have advanced into clinical trials, yet none have been approved for marketing.

Areas covered: A comprehensive patent review of literature from January 2019 to December 2024 on CHK1 inhibitors in oncology, their combination products, and structural insights have been reviewed through searching relevant information in Scopus, Espacenet, Web of Science, World Intellectual Property Organization, Google Patent databases, Cortellis Drug Discovery Intelligence, and United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Expert opinion: Considering the current advancements and the state of the field, the development of potent and selective CHK1 inhibitors with novel skeleton, either as monotherapies or in combination therapies, is of paramount importance. Ongoing research focuses on rational drug design, synergistic treatment integration, and predictive biomarkers identification. These advancements, along with future progress in the realm of CHK1 inhibitors, offer great promise as a pivotal strategy in biomarker-guided cancer therapeutics.