The Aurora (Aur) kinase family, classified as Aur kinase A, B and C, plays an important role in mitosis, spindle assembly checkpoint and regulation of transition from G2 to M phase.1–3 AurA is overexpressed in cancer cell lines and is often amplified in human cancers.4–6 Increased AurA protein expression in cancer cells is linked to resistance to cytotoxic agents targeting the mitotic spindle checkpoint.7,8 Therefore, inhibiting AurA could serve as a target for the development of anticancer drugs. The gene discussed is AURKA; the disease is cancer.