Targeting JNK for therapeutic benefit: from junk to gold?

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Anthony M Manning1, Roger J Davis

  • 1Roche Pharmaceuticals, 3411 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA. anthony.manning@roche.com

Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|June 20, 2003
PubMed

Insights

c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases (JNKs) play a role in various diseases. JNK inhibitors are being investigated as potential therapeutics for inflammatory, vascular, neurodegenerative, metabolic, and oncological conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases (JNKs) are crucial signaling molecules involved in cellular responses.
  • JNKs regulate gene expression, cell survival, and proliferation.
  • Dysregulation of JNK pathways is implicated in various human diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the therapeutic potential of JNK inhibitors.
  • To discuss the application of JNK inhibitors in human diseases.
  • To outline the current status of JNK-targeted drug discovery.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on JNK inhibitors.
  • Analysis of evidence for JNK inhibitor efficacy in disease models.
  • Assessment of drug discovery efforts targeting JNK.

Main Results:

  • JNK signaling is implicated in inflammatory, vascular, neurodegenerative, metabolic, and oncological diseases.
  • JNK inhibitors show promise as therapeutic agents across these disease areas.
  • Drug discovery targeting JNK is an active and evolving field.

Conclusions:

  • JNK inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic strategy for a range of human diseases.
  • Further research and development are ongoing to optimize JNK-targeted therapies.
  • Targeting JNK pathways offers a potential avenue for novel disease treatments.

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