Dipeptidyl boronic acids are suitable candidates for the design of "pro-soft" drugs because recent studies have proven that these acids undergo a p H-dependent cyclization equilibrium, generating an inactive...Dipeptidyl boronic acids are suitable candidates for the design of "pro-soft" drugs because recent studies have proven that these acids undergo a p H-dependent cyclization equilibrium, generating an inactive cyclic form under physiological conditions. Dipeptidyl boronic acids possess a wide range of potential targets, and the 26 S proteasome appears to be one of the main targets.This multicatalytic complex is involved in intracellular protein turnover and is overexpressed in certain pathological conditions, such as malignancies, autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. Bortezomib is the first-in-class derivative approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hematological malignancies(i.e., relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma) but is inactive against solid tumors due to an insufficient tissue distribution. The present study suggests a possible strategy for enhancing the in vivo performance of dipeptidyl boronic acids endowed with promising proteasomeinhibiting properties and their applicability as anticancer agents. In particular, dipeptidyl boronic acids might have a fruitful application as pro-soft drugs when an appropriate recognition motif serves as a substrate for a tumor-specific protease, generating the active form of the drug in situ and preventing systemic side effects after diffusion through cells and tissues.展开更多
Malaria remains a major health problem in the world. It is a neglected disease because it occurs almost exclusively in poor developing countries, which offer negligible marketable and profitable opportunities. Malaria...Malaria remains a major health problem in the world. It is a neglected disease because it occurs almost exclusively in poor developing countries, which offer negligible marketable and profitable opportunities. Malaria(together with Tuberculosis), is responsible for an unprecedented global health crisis with devastating effects in developing countries. The 2011 Word Malaria Report indicated that 106 countries showed endemic malaria. Malaria control depends mainly on drug treatment, which is increasingly difficult due to the spread of drug resistant parasites and requires expensive drug combinations. Part of the inability to combat this disease is attributed to an incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Improving the knowledge of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of malaria transmission and of the exclusive metabolic pathways of the parasites(protozoa of the genus Plasmodium), should promote efficient treatment of disease and help the identification of novel targets for potential therapeutic interventions. Moreover, the elucidation of determinants involved in the spread of malaria will provide important information for efficient planning of strategies for targeted control.展开更多
文摘Dipeptidyl boronic acids are suitable candidates for the design of "pro-soft" drugs because recent studies have proven that these acids undergo a p H-dependent cyclization equilibrium, generating an inactive cyclic form under physiological conditions. Dipeptidyl boronic acids possess a wide range of potential targets, and the 26 S proteasome appears to be one of the main targets.This multicatalytic complex is involved in intracellular protein turnover and is overexpressed in certain pathological conditions, such as malignancies, autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. Bortezomib is the first-in-class derivative approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hematological malignancies(i.e., relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma) but is inactive against solid tumors due to an insufficient tissue distribution. The present study suggests a possible strategy for enhancing the in vivo performance of dipeptidyl boronic acids endowed with promising proteasomeinhibiting properties and their applicability as anticancer agents. In particular, dipeptidyl boronic acids might have a fruitful application as pro-soft drugs when an appropriate recognition motif serves as a substrate for a tumor-specific protease, generating the active form of the drug in situ and preventing systemic side effects after diffusion through cells and tissues.
文摘Malaria remains a major health problem in the world. It is a neglected disease because it occurs almost exclusively in poor developing countries, which offer negligible marketable and profitable opportunities. Malaria(together with Tuberculosis), is responsible for an unprecedented global health crisis with devastating effects in developing countries. The 2011 Word Malaria Report indicated that 106 countries showed endemic malaria. Malaria control depends mainly on drug treatment, which is increasingly difficult due to the spread of drug resistant parasites and requires expensive drug combinations. Part of the inability to combat this disease is attributed to an incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Improving the knowledge of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of malaria transmission and of the exclusive metabolic pathways of the parasites(protozoa of the genus Plasmodium), should promote efficient treatment of disease and help the identification of novel targets for potential therapeutic interventions. Moreover, the elucidation of determinants involved in the spread of malaria will provide important information for efficient planning of strategies for targeted control.
