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Published on: January 22, 2019
Recent Advances in Dual BRD4-Kinase Inhibitors Based on Polypharmacology
Li Chen1, Zhao-Peng Liu1, Xun Li2
1Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No 44, West Wenhua Road, Ji'nan, 250012, China.
Abstract:
The epigenetic reader BRD4 is involved in chromatin remodelling and transcriptional regulation, making it a promising therapeutic target. However, over the past decades, many BRD4 inhibitors that entered clinical trials were, in the main, unsatisfactory, due to some therapeutic limitations such as off-target effects and drug resistance. Combining a BRD4 inhibitor with another drug was expected to be an ideal option to overcome these hurdles and to improve therapeutic outcomes. However, such combination therapy could trigger toxicity caused by drug-drug interactions, complex pharmacokinetics, and additive effects. Recently, the application of dual-target drugs targeting BRD4 and other kinases has become an attractive approach to remedy the defects of a single BRD4 inhibitor. This review focuses on recent advances in the discovery of dual BRD4-kinase inhibitors, with an emphasis on their co-crystal structures and structure-activity relationships (SARs), as well as future perspectives in this field.
Insights
Dual-target drugs inhibiting BRD4 and kinases offer a promising strategy to overcome limitations of single BRD4 inhibitors, addressing challenges like drug resistance and off-target effects for improved cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics and molecular biology
- Medicinal chemistry and drug discovery
Background:
- BRD4 is a key epigenetic regulator in chromatin remodeling and transcription, making it a therapeutic target for diseases.
- Existing BRD4 inhibitors face limitations including off-target effects, drug resistance, and toxicity concerns in combination therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in dual BRD4-kinase inhibitors.
- To highlight co-crystal structures and structure-activity relationships (SARs) of these inhibitors.
- To discuss future perspectives in the development of dual-target drugs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on dual BRD4-kinase inhibitors.
- Analysis of co-crystal structures to understand binding interactions.
- Evaluation of structure-activity relationships (SARs) for inhibitor optimization.
Main Results:
- Dual-target drugs offer a strategy to overcome single BRD4 inhibitor limitations.
- Co-crystal structures provide insights into the design of potent and selective inhibitors.
- SAR studies guide the development of improved dual BRD4-kinase inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Dual BRD4-kinase inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic approach.
- Further research into their structural and SAR aspects is crucial for clinical translation.
- This strategy holds potential for enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity in cancer treatment.
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