Definition

An orally available inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon oral administration, MK-8353 inhibits both ERK phosphorylation and activation of ERK-mediated signal transduction pathways; thereby, preventing ERK-dependent tumor cell proliferation and survival. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK pathway is often upregulated in a variety of tumor cell types and plays a role in tumor cell proliferation, differentiation and survival.