Inhibitors of cathepsin C (dipeptidyl peptidase I)

Cathepsin C (dipeptidyl peptidase I) plays a key role in the activation of several degradative enzymes linked to tissue destruction in inflammatory diseases. Thus, cathepsin C inhibitors could potentially be effective therapeutics for the treatment of such diseases as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis.

Although this article focuses on cathepsin C inhibitor patents, the journal literature concerning small molecule inhibitors of the enzyme is also covered comprehensively (1981 - 2009).

It is our aim to give the reader a complete overview of the cathepsin C inhibitor chemotypes that have been disclosed to date. In addition, key biological data have been included for both irreversible and reversible inhibitors.

All known cathepsin C inhibitors are believed to have a covalent interaction with the Cys-234 residue of the enzyme. The electrophilic and sometimes peptidic nature of these molecules is associated with poor metabolic stability and is also a potential safety concern. Thus, overcoming developability issues is a serious hurdle for these compounds and there can be little doubt that this is the principal reason why no cathepsin C inhibitors appear to have reached clinical development so far.