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.
Merfort
Irmgard
I
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