Dual protein kinase and nucleoside kinase modulators for rationally designed polypharmacology

Masitinib is a protein kinase inhibitor that sensitises refractory pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells to treatment with the nucleoside analog gemcitabine. Here the authors show that Masitinib activates deoxycytidine kinase to enhance phosphorylation of nucleoside analogue pro-drugs, increasing their potency