Receptor tyrosine kinase

PTK2

Cancer

Focal adhesion

Kinase

Angiogenesis

Tyrosine kinase

Cancer research

Genetics

Signal transduction

Biology

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase

Cell biology

Protein kinase A

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, is overexpressed and activated in many cancer types. FAK regulates diverse cellular processes, including growth factor signaling, cell cycle progression, cell survival, cell motility, angiogenesis, and the establishment of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments through kinase-dependent and kinase-independent scaffolding functions in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Mounting evidence has indicated that targeting FAK, either alone or in combination with other agents, may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for various cancers. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying FAK-mediated signaling networks during tumor development. We also summarize the recent progress of FAK-targeted small-molecule compounds for anticancer activity from preclinical and clinical evidence.

FAK in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies