Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 7, 2025

Chemical Inactivation of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Cereblon by Pomalidomide-based Homo-PROTACs
Published on: May 15, 2019
Bromodomain inhibitors a decade later: a promise unfulfilled?
1The Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Abstract:
Over the last decade, bromodomain inhibitors have emerged as a promising class of anticancer drugs. However, the clinical progress of these agents has faced significant obstacles, which precluded their regulatory approval. This editorial will review the challenges and opportunities associated with the development of bromodomain inhibitors.
Insights
Bromodomain inhibitors show promise as cancer drugs but face clinical development hurdles. This review explores challenges and opportunities for advancing these targeted therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Bromodomain inhibitors represent a significant advancement in targeted cancer therapy.
- Despite promising preclinical data, clinical translation has been challenging.
- Regulatory approval pathways for these novel agents require careful consideration.
Discussion:
- Key obstacles include identifying optimal patient populations and managing on-target, off-tumor toxicities.
- Understanding resistance mechanisms is crucial for sustained therapeutic efficacy.
- Biomarker development is essential for patient stratification and treatment selection.
Key Insights:
- Bromodomain inhibitors offer a targeted approach to cancer treatment by modulating epigenetic readers.
- Clinical efficacy has been limited by dose-limiting toxicities and lack of predictive biomarkers.
- Overcoming these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach involving basic science, clinical oncology, and regulatory expertise.
Outlook:
- Future directions include developing next-generation inhibitors with improved selectivity and safety profiles.
- Combination strategies with other anticancer agents may enhance therapeutic outcomes.
- Continued research into bromodomain function in cancer will uncover new therapeutic opportunities.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors
Eukaryotic transcription inhibitors usually contain two distinct domains, a...
Drug Discovery: Overview
Targets for Drug Action: Overview
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
Restarting Stalled Replication Forks

