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Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents significant challenges due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has emerged as a critical factor promoting tumor growth and metastasis in TNBC. Despite encouraging results from preclinical and early clinical trials with various FAK inhibitors, none have yet achieved clinical success in TNBC treatment. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of a novel dual inhibitor of FAK and PYK2, named SJP1602, for TNBC. In vitro experiments demonstrate that SJP1602 effectively inhibits FAK and PYK2 activities, showing potent effects on both kinases. SJP1602 shows concentration-dependent inhibition of cell growth, migration, invasion, and 3D spheroid formation in TNBC cell lines, surpassing the efficacy of other FAK inhibitors. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats indicate favorable bioavailability and sustained plasma concentrations of SJP1602, supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent. Furthermore, in TNBC xenograft models, SJP1602 exhibits significant dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth. These promising results emphasize the potential of SJP1602 as a potent dual inhibitor of FAK and PYK2, deserving further investigation in clinical trials for TNBC treatment.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cimb45090446 | DOI Listing |
Cancers (Basel)
August 2025
Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, PR 00956, USA.
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) has been implicated in regulation of GBM invasion, proliferation, and recurrence. Its activation, driven by tumor-infiltrating microglia and macrophage-derived extracellular factors such as EGF, PDGFB, SDF-1α, IL-6, and IL-8, enhances tumor cell motility and survival.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDrugs
August 2025
Springer Nature, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand.
Avutometinib and defactinib (AVMAPKI FAKZYNJA CO-PACK) is a co-packaged rapidly accelerating fibrosarcoma (RAF)/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor (avutometinib) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2 (Pyk2) inhibitor (defactinib) being developed by Verastem Oncology for the treatment of RAS/MAPK pathway-driven cancers. In May 2025, avutometinib and defactinib was approved in the USA for the treatment of adult patients with KRAS-mutated recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) who have received prior systemic therapy. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of avutometinib and defactinib leading to this first approval for KRAS-mutated recurrent LGSOC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Immunol
August 2025
Department of Gastroenterology, Yan' an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Belonging to the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) family, proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, has become a focal point in cancer research owing to its essential participation in the formation and dissemination of tumors. Studies have shown that this kinase controls various cellular activities, including: tumor cell adhesion, growth, multiplication, specialization, and detachment, making it a promising target for developing anticancer drugs. The goal of this review is to analyze the multifaceted role of PYK2 in gastrointestinal disease, focusing on its contribution to tumor progression, associated signaling pathways, and the therapeutic potential of PYK2 inhibitors in improving disease management and prognosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell Commun Signal
May 2025
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Background: FAK is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase and an adaptor protein commonly overexpressed in cancer. It regulates multiple tumorigenic pathways through both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent scaffolding functions and thus represents a promising therapeutic target for various cancers. Several FAK kinase inhibitors shown to be effective in preclinical studies advanced to clinical trials, however none produced objective clinical responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Biol Cell
June 2025
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Medicine, Moores UCSD Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA 92093.
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the related tyrosine kinase PYK2 are signaling and scaffolding proteins co-expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) that regulate blood vessel function and tumor growth. As FAK-PYK2 share overlapping cellular roles, we generated PYK2 FAK mice with tamoxifen-inducible EC-specific Cre expression. EC FAK inactivation in PYK2 but not PYK2 mice led to increased heart and lung mass, vascular leakage, and created a tumor microenvironment that was repressive to syngeneic melanoma, breast, and lung carcinoma implanted tumor growth.
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