Protein tyrosine phosphatases as drug targets: strategies and challenges of inhibitor development
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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Development and Application of Rapamycin-regulated Tyrosine Phosphatases
Published on: September 6, 2024
1University of Oxford, Structural Genomics Consortium, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK. alastair.barr@sgc.ox.ac.uk
Abstract:
Several 'classical' protein tyrosine phosphatases are attractive therapeutic targets, including PTP1B for obesity and Type II diabetes; SHP2 for cancer and Lyp for rheumatoid arthritis. Progress has been made in identifying a broad range of chemically distinct inhibitors; however, developing selective and cell-permeable clinically useful compounds has proved challenging. Here the ongoing challenges and recent significant advances in the field are reviewed. Key novel compounds are highlighted and a perspective on the future of phosphatase inhibitor development is presented.
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