Clinical trial of a new antigonadotropic substance, 2,6-cis-diphenylhexamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, in cancer of the prostate. A pilot study

Evolution of consciousness of exposure to siloxanes-review of publications

The purpose of this description is to review scientific literature from 1944 to 2017 as a source of information on the reasons for the increased interest in siloxanes (silicones). Not only the research area, but first, the changes in the tendency of research aims are important issues in the evaluation. On the one hand, the authors emphasize the unique properties of linear and cyclic siloxanes, providing many examples of beneficial applications, and on the other hand, there are some warnings of overcoming of the safety barrier of their presence in human environment. Analyzing the results from the SCOPUS database, it can be argued that the increased interest of scientists and government agencies particularly relates to the analysis of siloxanes in biological and environmental samples. This is caused not only by the widespread use of various siloxanes in the pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic and food industries, but also by the direct contact of these compounds with tissues, as well as an increased access to knowledge and modern research tools that have developed the awareness of hazards. The development of research methods enables not only constant monitoring of progressively lower siloxanes concentrations in various samples, but because of the specificity of these methods, it also enables an identification of specific siloxane compounds and evaluation of their effects on humans and environment. This paper discusses the issues of the evolution of consciousness of exposure to siloxanes due to their increased synthesis and widespread use in many areas of human life, which contributes to environmental pollution.

Exploitation of silicon medicinal chemistry in drug discovery

There remains considerable pressure on the pharmaceutical industry to increase productivity and reduce the attrition of drug candidates. Genomics, parallel chemistry and high-throughput biology have not yielded the anticipated benefits, resulting in a renewed focus on validated targets and an aim to generate drugs directed towards such targets, which have a clear advantage. One strategy to identify and develop best-in-class drugs is to apply a high degree of innovation in chemistry and apply this to targets from gene families that have been clinically validated as tractable and drugable. The application of organosilicon medicinal chemistry in the context of privileged structures to aid drug design and development is one such innovative approach that is reviewed in this paper.

Chemistry challenges in lead optimization: silicon isosteres in drug discovery

During the lead optimization phase of drug discovery projects, the factors contributing to subsequent failure might include poor portfolio decision-making and a sub-optimal intellectual property (IP) position. The pharmaceutical industry has an ongoing need for new, safe medicines with a genuine biomedical benefit, a clean IP position and commercial viability. Inherent drug-like properties and chemical tractability are also essential for the smooth development of such agents. The introduction of bioisosteres, to improve the properties of a molecule and obtain new classes of compounds without prior art in the patent literature, is a key strategy used by medicinal chemists during the lead optimization process. Sila-substitution (C/Si exchange) of existing drugs is an approach to search for new drug-like candidates that have beneficial biological properties and a clear IP position. Some of the fundamental differences between carbon and silicon can lead to marked alterations in the physicochemical and biological properties of the silicon-containing analogues and the resulting benefits can be exploited in the drug design process.