PLK1 is an enzyme over-expressed in many cancer types. It’s been known for decades to to be hijacked by tumor cells allowing uncontrolled growth in the M phase of the cell cycle. We now know PLK1 is involved in the repair of damaged DNA in the S phase of the cell cycle.

As chemotherapies and targeted cancer drugs damage DNA, onvansertib inhibits PLK1’s ability to repair DNA damage and increases the efficacy of the standard of care therapy in a variety of indications.