title: AN-2728, a PDE4 inhibitor for the potential topical treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Cytokines are signaling molecules that are believed to be key factors in perpetuating the inflammatory process in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. AN-2728, being developed by Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc, is a topically administered, boron-containing, anti-inflammatory compound that inhibits PDE4 activity and thereby suppresses the release of TNFalpha, IL-12, IL-23 and other cytokines. At the time of publication, three phase Ib clinical trials, a IIa trial and a IIb trial of AN-2728 in patients with psoriasis had been completed; the compound was also undergoing phase II development for atopic dermatitis, but no data were available for this indication. AN-2728 was reported to be well tolerated and to demonstrate significant effects on markers of efficacy, with results that were comparable to positive controls. AN-2728 appears to have good therapeutic potential, although further and larger trials are required to assess the long-term safety and characterize the broad utility of this drug.
authors.affiliation: St Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Department of Dermatology, 1090 Amsterdam Avenue, Suite 11D, New York, NY 10025, USA. rnazarian@chpnet.org
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nazarian
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Weinberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001896:Boron Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D058988:Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D001896:Boron Compounds; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D016207:Cytokines; D058988:Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; C543085:crisaborole