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Extracellular proteases as targets for drug development

Mare Cudic1, Gregg B Fields

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.

Current Protein & Peptide Science
|August 20, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Extracellular proteases (ECPs) are key drug targets for diseases like cancer and inflammation. New therapies inhibiting ECPs or using them for targeted drug delivery are emerging.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery

Background:

  • Proteases are crucial targets in drug discovery.
  • Extracellular proteases (ECPs) are differentially expressed in various pathophysiological conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular, inflammatory, pulmonary, and periodontal diseases.
  • This differential expression offers opportunities for targeted therapies and diagnostics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in targeted drug development for extracellular proteases.
  • To highlight the potential of ECP inhibitors and targeted delivery systems.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on extracellular proteases.
  • Focus on metalloproteases, serine proteases, and cysteine proteases.
  • Discussion of recent studies in targeted drug development.

Main Results:

  • Numerous ECP inhibitors are in clinical trials.
  • Significant growth in protease inhibition therapies is anticipated.
  • Strategies include direct activity blockade and targeted delivery of agents.

Conclusions:

  • Extracellular proteases represent a promising area for therapeutic intervention.
  • Targeted drug development for ECPs is advancing rapidly.
  • Future therapies will likely leverage ECP inhibition and targeted delivery for various diseases.

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