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Protein therapeutics: a summary and pharmacological classification
Benjamin Leader1, Quentin J Baca, David E Golan
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown Medical School, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02093, USA.
Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|December 22, 2007
Summary
Protein therapeutics, including recombinant proteins like insulin, have surged in medical use over 25 years. This review covers their characteristics, current applications, and proposes a new pharmacological classification.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Pharmacology
- Medicine
Background:
- Protein therapeutics were once a niche treatment but have seen dramatic growth.
- The first recombinant protein therapeutic, human insulin, was introduced 25 years ago.
- These therapies are increasingly vital across nearly all medical fields, though still in early development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overview key characteristics of protein therapeutics.
- To summarize the more than 130 currently available protein therapeutics.
- To propose a novel classification based on pharmacological action.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of protein therapeutics.
- Analysis of current market data for protein therapeutics.
- Development of a new classification system for protein drugs.
Main Results:
- Over 130 protein therapeutics are currently in use.
- Protein therapeutics exhibit diverse pharmacological actions.
- A new classification system is proposed.
Conclusions:
- Protein therapeutics have evolved from rare treatments to essential medicines.
- The field of protein therapeutics is rapidly expanding.
- A pharmacological classification can enhance understanding and application of these drugs.
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