Abstract: Provided include methods, compositions and kits for treating cancer in a subject. The method can comprise administrating an FGFR inhibitor (for example, AZD4547) and a PLK1 inhibitor (for example, onvansertib) to the subject in a manner sufficient to inhibit progression of the cancer.

Abstract: Provided include methods, compositions and kits for treating metastatic cancer in a subject. The method can comprise administrating a treatment comprising inhibiting angiogenesis and a PLK1 inhibitor (for example, onvansertib) to the subject that has not received prior anti-angiogenic treatment, in a manner sufficient to reduce or inhibit progression of the metastatic cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein include methods, compositions, and kits suitable for use in treating a hematological cancer in a subject. In some embodiments, the method comprises determining the presence or absence of at least one mutation in one or more genes encoding a spliceosome protein in sample nucleic acids from the subject; and administering onvansertib and decitabine to the subject, if the at least one mutation in one or more genes encoding a spliceosome protein is determined to be present in the sample nucleic acids, thereby reducing or inhibiting progression of the hematological cancer in the subject.

Abstract: Provided includes methods, compositions and kits for improving outcome of a cancer treatment, and methods, compositions and kits for determining responsiveness of a subject to a cancer treatment. The cancer treatment can comprise administering PLK1 inhibitor (e.g., onvansertib) to the subject.

Abstract: Provided herein includes a method comprising analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), for example ctDNA in plasma, from a patient with leukemia, to predict and/or determine clinical response. The leukemia can be, for example, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or chronic melomonocytic leukemia (CMML).

Abstract: Provided include methods, compositions and kits for treating cancer in a subject. The method can comprise administrating an FGFR inhibitor (for example, AZD4547) and a PLK1 inhibitor (for example, onvansertib) to the subject in a manner sufficient to inhibit progression of the cancer.

Abstract: Provided include methods, compositions and kits for treating a leukemia or lymphoma in a subject. The method can comprise administrating a BCL-2 inhibitor and a PLK1 inhibitor (for example, onvansertib) to the subject in a manner sufficient to inhibit progression of the leukemia or lymphoma.

Abstract: Provided is a method comprising recommending treatment of a prostate cancer patient with a polo-like kinase-1 (PLK1) inhibitor if the patient has rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. Also provided is a method comprising measuring prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in at least two samples from a prostate cancer patient, the samples obtained from the patient at different times; and recommending treatment of the patient with a PLK1 inhibitor if the PSA levels in the samples increase over time, or not recommending treatment of the patient with a PLK1 inhibitor if the PSA levels in the samples do not increase over time. Additionally provided is a method comprising recommending treatment of a PLK1 inhibitor to a patient having a prostate cancer that has an altered androgen receptor that does not require ligand for activation.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a patient. Also provided is a method of inhibiting non-adrenergic contraction of a smooth muscle. Additionally provided is a method of inhibiting proliferation of human prostate cells.

Abstract: Certain molecular characteristics of cancer cells or tumors can be indicative of their sensitivity to various combination therapies. The cancer cells or tumors exhibiting such molecular profiles, such as upregulation of genes associated with mitosis or meiosis, can be sensitive to additive and more than additive effects of combination therapies. Methods for identifying, selecting, and/or treating cancer patients whose cancer is amenable to combination therapies including an antiandrogen or androgen antagonist in combination with a Plk inhibitor are disclosed. Administration of the combination of the active agents can reduce cancer cell proliferation or viability and/or tumor burden in a subject with cancer to the same degree, or a greater degree than administering to the subject the same amount of either active agent alone.

Abstract: Provided is a method comprising determining polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) activity in a cancer in a patient by measuring phosphorylation of a PLK1 target (a) prior to treatment of (i) the patient or (ii) a cancer sample from the patient with a PLK1 inhibitor, and (b) after the treatment. Also provided is a method comprising determining polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) activity in a cancer in a patient by measuring phosphorylation of a PLK1 target without treatment with a PLK1 inhibitor.