Apoptosis: potential therapeutic targets for new drug discovery
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Published on: January 11, 2019
1Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Division, New Drug Discovery and Research, Ranbaxy Research Laboratories, Plot-20, Sector-18, Udyog Vihar, Industrial Area, Gurgaon, Haryana 122015, India.
Abstract:
Apoptosis is involved in a wide range of pathologic conditions, including neurodegenerative, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Therefore, the ability to understand and manipulate the cell death machinery is an obvious goal of medical research. Novel therapeutic approaches to modulate disease by regulating apoptosis are being tested in preclinical and clinical settings. Approaches include the traditional use of small molecules to target specific players in the apoptosis cascade. As our understanding of apoptosis increases, further opportunities will arise for tailor-made therapies that will result in improved clinic. From variety of compounds are discovered in this field and only few are found in the preclinical and clinical trials. The lack of specific potent nonpeptide apoptosis inducers and/or inhibitors has limited for a long time the clinical investigation of this target. But in the last few years the renewed interest of pharmaceutical companies has been giving a strong impulse to the research in this area. This review considers the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and their interaction in regulation of apoptosis. We also focus on recent developments of nonpeptide apoptosis modulators and their progress in drug lead discovery.
Insights
Understanding and targeting apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is crucial for treating diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. Recent advancements in nonpeptide apoptosis modulators offer new therapeutic avenues for drug discovery.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is implicated in numerous diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
- Manipulating the cell death machinery is a key objective in medical research for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
- Traditional approaches involve small molecules targeting specific apoptosis cascade components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular mechanisms regulating apoptosis.
- To highlight recent developments in nonpeptide apoptosis modulators.
- To discuss their progress in drug lead discovery.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular mechanisms of apoptosis.
- Analysis of recent developments in nonpeptide apoptosis modulators.
- Examination of drug lead discovery progress.
Main Results:
- The discovery of various compounds targeting apoptosis, with few progressing to clinical trials.
- A historical lack of specific, potent nonpeptide inducers/inhibitors limited clinical investigation.
- Renewed pharmaceutical interest is accelerating research in this area.
Conclusions:
- Continued research into apoptosis mechanisms and modulators is vital for therapeutic advancement.
- Nonpeptide apoptosis modulators represent a promising area for drug discovery.
- Tailor-made therapies regulating apoptosis hold potential for improved clinical outcomes.
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