Dual Kinase-Bromodomain Inhibitors in Anticancer Drug Discovery: A Structural and Pharmacological Perspective

Protein kinases play crucial roles in several cell transformation processes and are validated drug targets for many human diseases, including cancer. Nevertheless, most tumors have eluded the effects of inhibition of a single kinase by activating resistance mechanisms and/or alternative pathways and escape mechanisms. In recent years, multitarget approaches directed toward inhibition of kinases and targets of different families have received increasing attention. In particular, co-targeting kinases and bromodomain epigenetic reader proteins has rapidly emerged as a promising approach to cancer drug development. In this manuscript, we will review the recent discoveries that led to the identification and optimization of dual kinase/bromodomain inhibitors. We will analyze and compare the structural features required for dual inhibition and comment on the potential of this approach in anticancer drug discovery. Moreover, we will introduce computational approaches useful for the identification of dual kinase/bromodomain inhibitors and generate ad hoc pharmacophore and docking models.