Patented inhibitors (2002 - 2005) of the transcription factor NF-kappaB.
Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a central transcriptional factor and a pleiotropic regulator of many genes involved in immunological responses. Dysregulation of NF-kappaB can lead to a wide variety of diseases, including those related to inflammation and cancer. Therefore, NF-kappaB and the signalling pathways that regulate its activity have become a focal point for intense drug discovery and development by a number of drug companies and academic groups. Small-molecule inhibitors of regulatory enzymes or of NF-kappaB itself, gene therapy, decoy oligonucleotides or various biologicals have been reported and patented as potential candidates for drug development. This article reviews patents claiming NF-kappaB inhibitors during the period 2002 - 2005. Some of these inhibitors may be developed to therapeutics and used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and tumour chemoresistance.
Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 19, 79104 Freiburg, Germany. irmgard.merfort@pharmazie.uni-freiberg.de
Irmgard
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Merfort