Kinesin Superfamily Proteins in Cancer: Unveiling Their Role in Chemotherapy

Research at Al-Ahliyya Amman University has shed light on the role of kinesin superfamily proteins in cancer, particularly in mediating sensitivity to chemotherapy. The study found that aberrant expression of these proteins contributes to resistance to chemotherapy in various types of cancer, including breast, lung, and prostate cancers. The research also identified specific kinesin proteins, such as KIF5A, KIF11, and KIF20A, as being consistently involved in resistance to paclitaxel and docetaxel. Additionally, the study highlighted the potential of targeting kinesin proteins with small-molecule inhibitors, microRNA modulation, and peptide vaccines to improve chemotherapy outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) are driver proteins used by microtubules for intracellular transport, cellular homeostasis, and mitosis.
• Aberrant expression of KIFs has been found to mediate sensitivity to chemotherapy in various types of cancer.
• KIF5A, KIF11, and KIF20A are consistently involved in resistance to paclitaxel and docetaxel in breast, lung, and prostate cancers.
• KIF14 overexpression is a prognostic marker for poor outcomes in paclitaxel-treated triple-negative breast and cervical cancer.
• Suppressing KIF5B or KIF20A increases sensitivity to oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer.
• Clinic-applied fusions of KIF5B with ALK or EGFR have made it possible to use targeted therapy in non-small cell lung cancer.
• PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, and NF-kB activation, metabolic reprogramming, and inhibition of cellular programmed death are involved in KIF-mediated resistance.

Statistics:

• 166:115621 is the International Patent Number for the research.
• 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands is the address of Elsevier, the publisher of International Immunopharmacology.
• 19328 is the postal code of Amman, Jordan.
• The study involved a team of researchers from Al-Ahliyya Amman University, including Hamza Abu Owida, Suleiman Ibrahim Mohammad, Asokan Vasudevan, Ashok Kumar Bishoyi, S. RenukaJyothi, Rajashree Panigrahi, Munthar Kadhim Abosaoda, Gunjan Garg and Amrita Pargaien.

Sources:

• NewsRx. Researchers from Al-Ahliyya Amman University Describe Findings in Cancer (Kinesin superfamily proteins in cancer: unveiling their role in chemotherapy). Vaccine Weekly. October 15, 2025; p 108.
• International Immunopharmacology. Kinesin superfamily proteins in cancer: unveiling their role in chemotherapy. 2025;166:115621.
• Elsevier. International Immunopharmacology. www.journals.elsevier.com/international-immunopharmacology/
• Al-Ahliyya Amman University. Faculty of Engineering. Medical Engineering Department. Amman 19328, Jordan.