Autophagy has a highly complex and context-dependent role in cancer, challenging the development of autophagy-modulating strategies. This Review discusses the potential of targeting autophagy to counteract malignant transformation, prevent disease progression and enable anticancer immunosurveillance. Existing and emerging pharmacological strategies and the associated limitations are critically presented.

Incretin-based therapies are transforming the treatment of obesity and related comorbidities. This Review outlines the current landscape of obesity drug development, focusing on glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, multi-receptor agonists, amylin receptor agonists and next-generation oral therapies. Key translational and biological challenges, as well as emerging treatment concepts, are discussed.

Kinases represent one of the largest superfamilies of drug targets, but many members have remained notoriously challenging to drug by traditional small-molecule approaches. This Review assesses approaches and agents aimed at therapeutically modulating kinases, comparing orthosteric, allosteric and induced-proximity strategies. Key obstacles and future directions are considered.

Ten years after the first FDA approval, CDK inhibition is entering a new phase in oncology. This Review examines how combination strategies, emerging CDK2- and CDK4-selective inhibitors, and developing biomarkers are reshaping the clinical use of CDK-targeted therapies and broadening their potential beyond breast cancer treatment in multiple tumour types.