Targeting MCL-1 in cancer: current status and perspectives

  • J Hematol Oncol. 2021 Apr 21;14(1):67. doi: 10.1186/s13045-021-01079-1.
Haolan Wang  1 ,  Ming Guo  1 ,  Hudie Wei  2 ,  Yongheng Chen  3  4
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
  • 2. Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China. [email protected].
  • 3. Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China. [email protected].
  • 4. National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China. [email protected].
PMID: 33883020 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01079-1
Abstract

Myeloid leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) is an antiapoptotic protein of the Bcl-2 Family that prevents Apoptosis by binding to the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Overexpression of Mcl-1 is frequently observed in many tumor types and is closely associated with tumorigenesis, poor prognosis and drug resistance. The central role of Mcl-1 in regulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway makes it an attractive target for Cancer therapy. Significant progress has been made with regard to Mcl-1 inhibitors, some of which have entered clinical trials. Here, we discuss the mechanism by which Mcl-1 regulates Cancer cell Apoptosis and review the progress related to Mcl-1 small molecule inhibitors and their role in Cancer therapy.

Keywords
Apoptosis; BCL-2 family; Cancer; Inhibitor; MCL-1.
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