Cyclin E as a potential therapeutic target in high grade serous ovarian cancer

•The CCNE1 gene is amplified in 20% of ovarian high grade serous carcinomas (HGSC) & is associated with platinum resistance.•Cyclin E1 is a regulatory subunit of cyclin dependent kinases (CDK), which are potential targets for therapy.•Further study on therapeutic options for the cyclin E1-amplified subset of HGSC is warranted.

Cyclin E1 (CCNE1) gene amplification occurs in approximately 20% of ovarian high grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) and is associated with chemotherapy resistance and, in some studies, overall poor prognosis. The role of cyclin E1 in inducing S phase entry relies upon its interactions with cyclin dependent kinases (CDK), specifically CDK2. Therapies to target cyclin E1-related functions have centered on CDK inhibitors and proteasome inhibitors. While many studies have helped elucidate the functions and regulatory mechanisms of cyclin E1, further research utilizing cyclin E1 as a therapeutic target in ovarian cancer is warranted. This review serves to present the scientific background describing the role and function of cyclin E1 in cancer development and progression, to distinguish cyclin E1-amplified HGSC as a unique subset of ovarian cancer deserving of further therapeutic investigation, and to provide an updated overview on the studies which have utilized cyclin E1 as a target for therapy in ovarian cancer.