title: Integrins as therapeutic targets: lessons and opportunities.
abstract: The integrins are a large family of cell adhesion molecules that are essential for the regulation of cell growth and function. The identification of key roles for integrins in a diverse range of diseases, including cancer, infection, thrombosis and autoimmune disorders, has revealed their substantial potential as therapeutic targets. However, so far, pharmacological inhibitors for only three integrins have received marketing approval. This article discusses the structure and function of integrins, their roles in disease and the chequered history of the approved integrin antagonists. Recent advances in the understanding of integrin function, ligand interaction and signalling pathways suggest novel strategies for inhibiting integrin function that could help harness their full potential as therapeutic targets.
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. dcox@rcsi.ie
authors.forename: Dermot
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Niamh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moran
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D016023:Integrins