title: Caspases as therapeutic targets.
abstract: The development of small molecules to modulate caspase activity offers a novel therapeutic strategy in the treatment of apoptosis-related and inflammatory diseases. Caspases are key mediators of apoptosis and inflammation; deregulation of their activation or expression can lead to the development of conditions such as neurodegenerative and autoinflammatory disorders. This review details the different caspase-associated disorders while focusing on caspase-1 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy. Problems facing the development of effective and safe caspase therapeutics will also be addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Howley
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Fearnhead
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004194:Disease; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D020169:Caspases