Paving the way for small-molecule drug discovery.

Am J Transl Res

Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine Shanghai 200072, China.

Published: March 2021

Small-molecule drugs are organic compounds affecting molecular pathways by targeting important proteins, which have a low molecular weight, making them penetrate cells easily. Small-molecule drugs can be developed from leads derived from rational drug design or isolated from natural resources. As commonly used medications, small-molecule drugs can be taken orally, which enter cells to act on intracellular targets. These characteristics make small-molecule drugs promising candidates for drug development, and they are increasingly favored in the pharmaceutical market. Despite the advancements in molecular genetics and effective new processes in drug development, the drugs currently used in clinical practice are inadequate due to their poor efficacy or severe side effects. Therefore, developing new safe and efficient drugs is a top priority for disease control and curing.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8014367PMC

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

small-molecule drugs
16
drug development
8
drugs
6
paving small-molecule
4
drug
4
small-molecule drug
4
drug discovery
4
small-molecule
4
discovery small-molecule
4
drugs organic
4

Similar Publications

Mitophagy that disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), represents a critical focus in pharmacology. However, the discovery and evaluation of MMP-disrupting drugs are often hampered using commercially available marker molecules that target similar or identical zones. These markers can significantly interfere with, obscure, or amplify the functional effects of MMP-targeting drugs, frequently leading to clinical failures.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Mutations in the structural domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase represent a critical pathogenetic factor in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Small-molecule EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) serve as first-line therapeutic agents for the treatment of EGFR-mutated NSCLC. But the resistance mutations of EGFR restrict the clinical application of EGFR-TKIs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: There are no approved oral disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of blarcamesine (ANAVEX®2-73), an orally available small-molecule activator of the sigma-1 receptor (SIGMAR1) in early AD through restoration of cellular homeostasis including autophagy enhancement.

Design: ANAVEX2-73-AD-004 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 48-week Phase IIb/III trial.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Copper-Based Biomaterials for Anti-Tumor Therapy: Recent Advances and Perspectives.

Acta Biomater

January 2025

The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education of Xiangya Hospital and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Non-Resolving Inflammation and Cancer, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China. Electronic address:

Copper, an essential trace element, is integral to numerous metabolic pathways across biological systems. In recent years, copper-based biomaterials have garnered significant interest due to their superior biocompatibility and multifaceted functionalities, particularly in the treatment of malignancies such as sarcomas and cancers. On the one hand, these copper-based materials serve as efficient carriers for a range of therapeutic agents, including chemotherapeutic drugs, small molecule inhibitors, and antibodies, allowing them for precise delivery and controlled release triggered by specific modifications and stimuli.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

KRAS is a proto-oncogene that is found to be mutated in 15% of all metastatic cancers with high prevalence in pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers. Additionally, patients harboring KRAS mutations respond poorly to standard cancer therapy. As a result, KRAS is seen as an attractive target for targeted anticancer therapy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!