Recent advances of PIM kinase and its small-molecule inhibitors

Provirus Integration in Maloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) represents a novel class of unique Ser/Thr kinase, which has been identified to be over-expressed in multiple hematological malignancies and some solid tumors, and the expression quantity correlates with malignant grade and poor prognosis in patients with cancer. PIM kinase plays important roles in regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation through the phosphorylation of its protein substrates, and it has become the emerging target for cancer treatment. A large number of highly active PIM kinase inhibitors have been reported by domestic and foreign research institutions, and the research progress will be summarized according to affiliations in this review.