Phosphatases as targets for cancer treatment.
Although protein kinases are the molecular targets for an increasing number of anticancer agents, there is a notable absence of drugs targeting protein phosphatases, the biochemical counterpart of the protein kinases. This absence is particularly striking because many cancer-relevant pathways are also controlled by protein phosphatases, which can function abnormally in human tumors. Several research groups are searching for drug-like inhibitors of phosphatase-based cancer targets. This review examines several protein phosphatases for which investigational anticancer agents have been identified and are being investigated.
Lazo
John S
JS
University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery Institute, 10051 BST3, 3501 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. lazo@pitt.edu
Wipf
Peter
P
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010749:Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010749:Phosphoprotein Phosphatases