The Role of CDK5 in Tumours and Tumour Microenvironments

SIMPLE SUMMARY: CDK5 is a serine/threonine type kinase that is mainly found in nerves. It is a target that has been studied primarily in neurological disorders, but recently it has been newly recognised for its importance in cancer. In this review, we mentioned the role of CDK5 in normal cells and the latest findings that CDK5 contributes to ten hallmarks of cancer and cancer-nerve connections. Also, we introduced representative CDK5 inhibitors and suggested the possibility of CDK5 inhibitors as treatments for refractory cancer. ABSTRACT: Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), which belongs to the protein kinase family, regulates neuronal function but is also associated with cancer development and has been proposed as a target for cancer treatment. Indeed, CDK5 has roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, inflammation, and immune response. Aberrant CDK5 activation triggers tumour progression in numerous types of cancer. In this review, we summarise the role of CDK5 in cancer and neurons and CDK5 inhibitors. We expect that our review helps researchers to develop CDK5 inhibitors as treatments for refractory cancer.