Targeting p38α in cancer: challenges, opportunities, and emerging strategies

The protein kinase p38α is an important regulator of cell homeostasis that has been implicated in the response to many types of stresses. Given the plethora of functions that can be potentially regulated by p38α, this pathway has been linked to many diseases including cancer, suggesting a potential therapeutic interest in targeting p38α. This Viewpoint focuses on the role of p38α stress signaling in cancer development and therapy, discussing recent reports and reflecting on future challenges.