Caspase inhibitors: prospective therapies for stroke.
In ischemic stroke, apoptosis persists for days to weeks after the onset of an ischemic event. Cysteine-ASPartic proteASEs (caspases) are key mediators of apoptosis and neurodegeneration in stroke. The impact of caspase activity is not restricted to neuronal death, as caspases can exacerbate inflammation and alter glial function. Thus, caspases are logical therapeutic targets for this disease, but they have never been clinically evaluated due to a paucity of ideal drug candidates. Recent developments in caspase inhibition and drug delivery offer novel neuroprotective strategies for stroke, which are deliberated in this review.
Department of Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. nea2107@columbia.edu
Nsikan
N
Akpan
Carol M
CM
Troy
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy*
D061945:Caspase Inhibitors