Molecular design and anticancer activities of small-molecule monopolar spindle 1 inhibitors: A Medicinal chemistry perspective

Abstract As a dual-specificity protein kinase, monopolar spindle 1 (Mps1) is one of the main kinases involved in kinetochore localization and the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Cancer cells often display chromosomal instability, which is a consequence of disfunction of cell cycle checkpoints partially. Mps1 is overexpressed in multiple cancer types to face the pressure from aberrant chromosomes and centrosomes. Therefore, Mps1 is a potential targeting approach to cancer treatment. Several compounds targeting Mps1 have been developed and approved to begin clinical trials for advanced nonhaematologic malignancies treatments, including but not limited to triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment. In this review, we will highlight typical Mps1 inhibitors developed during the last decade and provide a reference for more potential Mps1 inhibitors exploration in the future.