CHK1 Inhibitor-Based Checkpoint Abrogation: A Classic, Yet New Therapeutic Approach in Advanced Cancer

Recent advances in small molecule kinase inhibitors have markedly improved patient survival in various types of cancer. Most of these successes can be attributed to the concept of “targeting driver oncogenes,” as in the case of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (i.e., EGFR inhibitors), but not in serine/threonine kinase inhibitors including CHK1 inhibitor. Further investigation of the underlying mechanisms is needed to identify synergistic interactions of CHK1 that would help prolong patient survival and improve their quality of life.