Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2010

Keywords

Animals, Drug Delivery Systems, Humans, Integrins, Neoplasms, Structure-Activity Relationship

Comments

This article is also available at http://www.nature.com/nrd/journal/v9/n10/full/nrd3266.html

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.

Disciplines

Life Sciences

Citation

Cox D, Brennan M, Moran N. Integrins as therapeutic targets: lessons and opportunities. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 2010;9(10):804-20.

PubMed ID

20885411

DOI Link

10.1038/nrd3266


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