Research progress of mitogen-activated protein kinase interacting kinases inhibitors in tumor immunotherapy

With the rise of tumor immunotherapy, small molecule modulators targeting the immune system have become a research hotspot. As well-developed and mature targets, immunity protein kinases have attracted more and more attention. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-interacting kinases (MNKs) are located at the meeting-point of ERK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways, which can phosphorylate eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) at the conserved serine 209 exclusively and modulate the translation of mRNA. Herein we review the structural characteristics, mechanism, signaling transduction pathways and close relationship with tumors of MNKs.Meanwhile, the development process and clinical research progress of the MNKs inhibitors reported by different research institutions are introduced in detail.