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Aquaporin modulators: a patent review (2010-2015)
Graça Soveral1, Angela Casini2
1a Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy , Universidade de Lisboa , Lisbon , Portugal.
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents
|September 14, 2016
Summary
Aquaporins (AQPs) are vital water channels in health and disease. Recent patents show AQP modulators offer new therapeutic strategies for conditions like edema, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Aquaporins (AQPs) are integral membrane proteins facilitating water transport.
- Their diverse roles in physiology and pathophysiology highlight their importance in human health and disease.
- AQPs have emerged as significant drug targets for various medical conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structural and functional characteristics of aquaporins.
- To describe small molecules and biologics patented between 2010-2015 that modulate AQP activity.
- To explore diagnostic and therapeutic applications of AQP modulators.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific articles, reviews, and patents.
- Analysis of patented AQP modulators and their therapeutic targets.
- Synthesis of information on AQP structure, function, and disease relevance.
Main Results:
- Patents focus on AQP modulators, primarily inhibitors, for treating water imbalance disorders like edema.
- Gold-based compounds show potential as selective aquaglyceroporin inhibitors for cancer therapy.
- Targeted therapies for neuromyelitis optica (AQP4), nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (AQP2), and Sjogren's syndrome (AQP1-5 gene transfer) are promising.
Conclusions:
- Aquaporin modulators represent a growing area for therapeutic development.
- Specific AQP-targeted strategies show promise for various diseases, warranting further clinical investigation.
- The development of novel AQP inhibitors and gene therapies offers new avenues for treating complex human disorders.
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