Flavopiridol: an antitumor drug with potential application in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Several lines of evidence show that cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) contribute to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Given their role in the neuronal apoptosis, the inhibition of CDKs by specific drugs such as flavopiridol may be a valid therapeutic approach. Expression of CDKs was observed in rodent models of excitotoxicity and stroke, and CDK inhibitors showed neuroprotective effects. Flavopiridol may provide significant improvement in neurodegenerative diseases in humans.
Pallàs
M
M
Unitat de Farmacologia i Farmacognòsia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Nucli Universitari de Pedralbes, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain. pallas@ub.edu
Verdaguer
E
E
Jordà
E G
EG
Jiménez
A
A
Canudas
A M
AM
Camins
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005420:Flavoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005420:Flavoproteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases