Focal adhesion kinase (FAK)
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), also known as PTK2, is a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase that functions as a central signaling node at focal adhesions, where cells attach to the extracellular matrix through integrins.
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), also known as PTK2, is a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase that functions as a central signaling node at focal adhesions, where cells attach to the extracellular matrix through integrins. It integrates mechanical cues and adhesion-dependent signals to regulate cell migration, survival, proliferation, cytoskeletal remodeling, and mechanotransduction. Through autophosphorylation and downstream signaling, FAK helps coordinate pathways such as RhoA/ROCK, YAP/TAZ, MAPK, and other adhesion-linked cascades.
In biomedical research, FAK is widely studied as a mediator of tumor progression, invasion, therapy resistance, and tissue mechanobiology. Recent studies in the provided context also place FAK in cartilage homeostasis under cyclic tensile stress, in viscoelasticity-dependent cell adhesion and migration, and in cancer-associated signaling axes including ITGA5-FAK in liver cancer and c-met/FAK-linked oncogenic signaling in lung cancer. Because of its position at the interface of adhesion and signaling, FAK is a frequent therapeutic target in oncology and regenerative medicine.
Where the papers sit
13 papers from the last 6 months study Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) directly · updated from PubMed 12 Oct 2026
Study type 0 clinical trials · 1 human data · 10 preclinical · 2 unclassified
Themes 3 themes
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FAK Inhibitor Discovery in Cancer
Structure-guided FAK inhibition is expanding toward KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer and other solid tumors. New small molecules, multikinase inhibitors and a targeted degrader are being evaluated for antiproliferative activity, including G2/M arrest. Talin2–β-integrin blockade offers a complementary way to disrupt FAK activation. Selectivity, in vivo efficacy and cancer-specific activity remain open questions.
6 papers · 46.2%
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ECM-FAK Tissue Remodeling
Extracellular-matrix remodeling is repeatedly linked to FAK-dependent control of adhesion, migration and tissue repair. The work connects ECM-FAK/Src-YAP signaling with epidermal barrier recovery, renal tubular senescence and muscle atrophy. Programmable hydrogel mechanics add a route to regulate cell behavior through matrix viscoelasticity. The shared focus is how matrix signals drive fibrosis, inflammation or regeneration across tissues.
4 papers · 30.8%
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FAK Drug Development and Resistance
FAK-directed therapy is moving from compound discovery toward pharmacokinetic characterization and mechanism-based combination strategies. Defactinib features in pancreatic cancer inhibitor development and in LC-MS/MS measurement of systemic exposure. In hepatocellular carcinoma, RPRD1A-associated ITGA5-FAK signaling is linked to lenvatinib resistance. Whether FAK blockade can restore sensitivity or improve responses in KRAS- and resistance-driven tumors remains unresolved.
3 papers · 23.1%
Papers
The 13 papers from the last 6 months that study Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) directly, newest first, by theme and by study type. Study types come from PubMed publication types and MeSH headings.
By theme
FAK Inhibitor Discovery in Cancer (6)
- The design and synthesis of highly efficient FAK inhibitor for the potential treatment of colorectal cancer harboring KRAS mutation. Bioorganic chemistry · 30 Jun 2026 PMID 42379010
- In-silico prediction of multi‑target mechanisms of Pinellia ternata phytochemicals in lung cancer: Evidence from a graph‑attention‑guided virtual screening and multi‑scale simulations. PloS one · 18 May 2026 PMID 42149884
- A novel FAK-targeted degrader: Design, synthesis, and therapeutic potential against colorectal cancer. Bioorganic chemistry · 11 May 2026 PMID 42114316
- Inhibitory Activity of Conferone on FAK Activity and Glutamine Metabolism in Human Colorectal Cancer. Journal of cellular and molecular medicine · 30 Apr 2026 PMID 42056844
- Structure-Based Discovery of the First Inhibitor Targeting the Talin2-β-integrin Interaction with Potent In Vivo Antitumor Activity in Breast Cancer Models. Journal of medicinal chemistry · 23 Apr 2026 PMID 42020994
- Design, synthesis, and anti-glioblastoma multiforme evaluation of novel multikinase inhibitors via a cyclization strategy with potent FAK inhibition. European journal of medicinal chemistry · 22 Apr 2026 PMID 42019175
ECM-FAK Tissue Remodeling (4)
- β-Myrcene alleviates atopic dermatitis-like inflammation and is associated with ECM-FAK/Src-YAP signaling during epidermal barrier repair. European journal of pharmacology · 16 Sept 2026 PMID 42749005
- Loss of LCN2 Function Ameliorates Glucocorticoid-Induced Muscle Atrophy via Remodeling the Extracellular Matrix. Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 18 Aug 2026 PMID 42610529
- Renal tubular epithelial-derived Angptl4 promotes renal fibrosis by inducing tubular cell senescence. Biochemical and biophysical research communications · 14 Jun 2026 PMID 42289177
- Dictated cell adhesion and migration using microfluidic-controlled synthetic hydrogels exhibiting programmable viscoelasticities. Journal of materials chemistry. B · 7 May 2026 PMID 42093414
FAK Drug Development and Resistance (3)
- Simultaneous Estimation of Avutometinib and Defactinib in Rat Plasma by Using LC-MS/MS and Its Application to Pharmacokinetic Studies. Biomedical chromatography : BMC · 28 Jul 2026 PMID 42517868
- Scaffold hopping-directed design and discovery of N1-substituted aminopyrimidine-indole derivatives as FAK inhibitors with anti-pancreatic cancer activity. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry · 23 Jul 2026 PMID 42492381
- RPRD1A drives lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma via the ITGA5-FAK signaling axis. Molecular biomedicine · 22 May 2026 PMID 42171939
By study type
Human data, design not indexed (1)
- In-silico prediction of multi‑target mechanisms of Pinellia ternata phytochemicals in lung cancer: Evidence from a graph‑attention‑guided virtual screening and multi‑scale simulations. PloS one · 18 May 2026 PMID 42149884
Preclinical: animal, cell and lab studies (10)
- Simultaneous Estimation of Avutometinib and Defactinib in Rat Plasma by Using LC-MS/MS and Its Application to Pharmacokinetic Studies. Biomedical chromatography : BMC · 28 Jul 2026 PMID 42517868
- Scaffold hopping-directed design and discovery of N1-substituted aminopyrimidine-indole derivatives as FAK inhibitors with anti-pancreatic cancer activity. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry · 23 Jul 2026 PMID 42492381
- The design and synthesis of highly efficient FAK inhibitor for the potential treatment of colorectal cancer harboring KRAS mutation. Bioorganic chemistry · 30 Jun 2026 PMID 42379010
- Renal tubular epithelial-derived Angptl4 promotes renal fibrosis by inducing tubular cell senescence. Biochemical and biophysical research communications · 14 Jun 2026 PMID 42289177
- RPRD1A drives lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma via the ITGA5-FAK signaling axis. Molecular biomedicine · 22 May 2026 PMID 42171939
- A novel FAK-targeted degrader: Design, synthesis, and therapeutic potential against colorectal cancer. Bioorganic chemistry · 11 May 2026 PMID 42114316
- Dictated cell adhesion and migration using microfluidic-controlled synthetic hydrogels exhibiting programmable viscoelasticities. Journal of materials chemistry. B · 7 May 2026 PMID 42093414
- Inhibitory Activity of Conferone on FAK Activity and Glutamine Metabolism in Human Colorectal Cancer. Journal of cellular and molecular medicine · 30 Apr 2026 PMID 42056844
- Structure-Based Discovery of the First Inhibitor Targeting the Talin2-β-integrin Interaction with Potent In Vivo Antitumor Activity in Breast Cancer Models. Journal of medicinal chemistry · 23 Apr 2026 PMID 42020994
- Design, synthesis, and anti-glioblastoma multiforme evaluation of novel multikinase inhibitors via a cyclization strategy with potent FAK inhibition. European journal of medicinal chemistry · 22 Apr 2026 PMID 42019175
Unclassified: not yet indexed with MeSH (2)
- β-Myrcene alleviates atopic dermatitis-like inflammation and is associated with ECM-FAK/Src-YAP signaling during epidermal barrier repair. European journal of pharmacology · 16 Sept 2026 PMID 42749005
- Loss of LCN2 Function Ameliorates Glucocorticoid-Induced Muscle Atrophy via Remodeling the Extracellular Matrix. Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 18 Aug 2026 PMID 42610529
Written from 13 PubMed abstracts, each one listed by PMID above. Published: 2026-06-15. Last written: 2026-09-18 by GPT. Drafted by language models from published abstracts; not medical advice.