Available online 11 June 2022, 108229

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 7 is best characterized for the ability to regulate biological processes, including the cell cycle and gene transcription. Abnormal CDK7 activity is observed in various tumours and represents a driving force for tumourigenesis. Therefore, CDK7 may be an appealing target for cancer treatment. Whereas, the enthusiasm for CDK7-targeted therapeutic strategy is mitigated due to the widely possessed belief that this protein is essential for normal cells. Indeed, the fact confronts the consensus. This is the first review to introduce the role of CDK7 in pan-cancers via a combined analysis of comprehensive gene information and (pre)clinical research results. We also discuss the recent advances in protein structure and summarize the understanding of mechanisms underlying CDK7 function. These endeavours highlight the pivotal roles of CDK7 in tumours and may contribute to the development of effective CDK7 inhibitors within the strategy of structure-based drug discovery for cancer therapy.

CDK7

Therapeutic target

CDK7 inhibitors

Anti-cancer treatment

acute myeloid leukaemia

CDK-activating kinase complex

cyclin-dependent kinase 7

cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma

CDK-inhibitor proteins

castration-resistant prostate cancer

cryo-electron microscopy

carboxy-terminal repeat domain

DRB sensitivity-inducing factor

dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase

glioblastoma multiforme

glycogen synthase kinase-3β

human epidermal growth factor receptor 2

kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma

liver hepatocellular carcinoma

mitogen-activated protein kinases

v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog

negative elongation factor

non-small cell lung cancer

pancreatic adenocarcinoma

prostate adenocarcinoma

peripheral T-cell lymphoma

small cell lung cancer

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

the cancer genome atlas

testicular germ cell tumour

triple-negative breast cancer

© 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.