Basic science for the clinician 48: tyrosine kinases in disease: the potential for inhibitors in the treatment of immunologic diseases.
The magic bullet--a compound that will stop a disease dead in its tracks by specifically targeting the underlying pathogenic principle of that disease--is what every designer/developer of drugs wants. As cellular and molecular biology research delves deeper into how cells are activated by their ligands, the intracellular pathways of activation of individual cellular processes become better known and more attractive therapeutic targets. The receptors for transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) activate a variety of cells via a series of tyrosine kinases; inhibition of specific tyrosine kinases has until recently been within the domain of oncologists, treating leukemia, and certain gastrointestinal tumors, but now there is mounting evidence that these agents might be of value in rheumatologic and autoimmune diseases. This is another example of "Better living (and curing!) through chemistry" that we as clinicians need to master to render optimal care.
Sigal
Leonard H
LH
Research and Development/Bristol-Myers Squibb, J.3100, PO Box 4000, Princeton, NJ 08543-4000, USA. leonard.sigal@bms.com
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D010677:Philadelphia Chromosome; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000187:drug effects; D020543:Proteome; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D020543:Proteome; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases