A patent review on the development of human cytochrome P450 inhibitors

CYP, a ubiquitous superfamily of enzymes expressed in major organs in humans, plays a key role in biosynthesis of steroids and metabolism of xenobiotics. Inhibitors of these vital enzymes provide, as tools, the opportunity to gain an insight to their role in a myriad of bioactivity and to intervene as therapeutics in disease.

This article reviews granted patents for human CYP inhibitors from the US and European territories within the past decade.

Granted patents, albeit mostly embodying evidence from in vitro and limited preclinical trials, demonstrate good potential for use in industry and the clinic following future human trials. Indeed, only a handful is on the market or under clinical evaluation. Diagnostic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) show high specificity for CYP families 1, 2, and 3, while potent inhibitors of CYPs 17, 19, 24, 26, 3A4 activities, in use with or without other drugs, display potential in treating prostate and breast cancers, dermatology, and improved retroviral therapy, although some may have challenges in delivery to target tissues. The involvement of this superfamily of enzymes in cellular functions, a multitude of disease states, and pharmacogenetics make them ideal candidates to better understand contemporary human health issues and identification of targeted, specific, and potent inhibitors is a useful strategy to employ, toward achieving that wider goal.