New tricks for human farnesyltransferase inhibitor: cancer and beyond

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Oncology

Background:

• Human protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) modifies proteins, including Ras superfamily members, via farnesylation.
• Ras protein farnesylation is crucial for normal function and oncogenic transformation.
• FTase substrates are implicated in various diseases like Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, chronic hepatitis D, and cardiovascular diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted roles of FTase in cancer progression.
• To summarize the clinical advancements of FTase inhibitors (FTIs) in oncology.
• To discuss the therapeutic potential of FTIs for non-cancerous human diseases.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of FTase function and FTIs.
• Analysis of FTase's role in tumor cell malignant transformation, proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
• Examination of clinical trial data and research on FTIs for various diseases.

Main Results:

• FTase plays significant roles in key cancer processes.
• Several FTIs have advanced into cancer clinical trials.
• FTIs demonstrate promise for treating conditions beyond cancer.

Conclusions:

• FTase is a critical target in cancer therapy.
• FTIs represent a promising therapeutic strategy for both oncological and non-oncological diseases.
• Further research into FTIs could expand their clinical applications.