Masanori Kawakami
Papers
1
Total Citations
49
H-Index
1
About
Masanori Kawakami is a leading cancer biologist whose research focuses on cell cycle regulation and the development of next-generation kinase inhibitors for lung cancer therapy. His seminal work on CDK2/9 inhibitors has fundamentally advanced our understanding of anaphase catastrophe—a novel mechanism of mitotic cell death. In his highly cited 2016 study (49 citations), Kawakami demonstrated how the potent CDK2/9 inhibitor CCT68127 exploits supernumerary centrosomes in lung cancer cells to induce multipolar anaphase and subsequent apoptosis, offering a targeted strategy distinct from traditional chemotherapies. This work built upon earlier findings with the first-generation inhibitor seliciclib, establishing a new paradigm for selectively killing cancer cells with centrosome amplification. Kawakami’s contributions have profound implications for overcoming drug resistance and improving treatment outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer. His research bridges fundamental cell biology with translational oncology, making him a pivotal figure in the development of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors as precision cancer therapeutics.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Next-Generation CDK2/9 Inhibitors and Anaphase Catastrophe in Lung Cancer49 citations · 2016