Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase in cancer progress and therapeutic potentials

Abstract

This review delves into the investigation of Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase (MELK) and its significance in different cancer types. The primary emphasis is placed on understanding its role in cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and resistance to therapeutic interventions. The intricate mechanisms of action exhibited by MELK are of significant importance in the context of cancer progression. These mechanisms encompass a wide range of biological processes, including gene regulation, cellular activities, and interactions at the tissue level. This highlights the multifaceted nature of MELKs involvement in cancer development and underscores its significance in this context. This essay explores the potential of MELK as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, with a focus on its altered expression patterns in various cancer types. Furthermore, this study delves into the investigation of MELK as a highly promising target for cancer therapy. It provides an in-depth analysis of the progress made in the development of MELK inhibitors and explores their potential clinical applications. The research endeavours in this study focus on addressing challenges related to therapeutic resistance and biomarker validation. Additionally, the investigation explores potential opportunities for combination therapies and personalised medicine approaches. The future directions of research on maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) encompass an in-depth investigation into its underlying molecular mechanisms, the validation of clinical biomarkers associated with MELK, and the exploration of effective combination strategies involving MELK. The role of MELK in cancer and the possibility to utilize it as a target for therapy have garnered significant attention due to their potential to advance precision cancer care and improve patient outcomes.