We have previously demonstrated that a proapoptotic cyclic peptide termed P15 delivered into the cells by the Tat Cell Penetrating Peptide was able to abrogate the CK2-mediated phosphorylation and induce tumor regression when injected directly into solid tumors in mice.
Methylation of the p15INK4b promoter never seems to occur in solid tumors but is a major gene silencing mechanism in hematological malignancies. p14ARF and p16INK4a promoter methylation often occurs in solid tumors but also in leukemias and lymphomas.
A feedback regulatory loop involving pRb, p16ink4a, and CDKs seems to regulate G1/S phases transition. p16ink4a and p15ink4b are deleted in high frequency in human cell lines and in some fresh solid tumors.