Multifaceted CK2 in malignant and healthy T cells

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Among kinases that support the survival and turnover of tumor cells, the serine/threonine protein kinase CK2 has been shown to be frequently overexpressed or hyperactivated in solid and hematological malignancies. Our previous work on T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) showed that CK2 maintains leukemia cell viability by phosphorylating and thereby inactivating the tumor suppressor PTEN, which results in hyperactivation of PI3K/AKT signaling. We also demonstrated the potential of using the clinical-grade CK2-specific chemical inhibitor, CX-4945 (Silmitasertib), against primary T-ALL cells. We have now extended these findings to the rare (