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Murza A, Dion SP, Boudreault PL, Désilets A, Leduc R, Marsault É. Inhibitors of type II transmembrane serine proteases in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract - A review of patent literature. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2020; 30:807-824. [PMID: 32887532 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2020.1817390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs) of the human respiratory tract generate high interest owing to their ability, among other roles, to cleave surface proteins of respiratory viruses. This step is critical in the viral invasion of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 responsible for COVID-19, but also influenza viruses and reoviruses. Accordingly, these cell surface enzymes constitute appealing therapeutic targets to develop host-based therapeutics against respiratory viral diseases. Additionally, their deregulated levels or activity has been described in non-viral diseases such as fibrosis, cancer, and osteoarthritis, making them potential targets in these indications. AREAS COVERED Areas covered: This review includes WIPO-listed patents reporting small molecules and peptide-based inhibitors of type II transmembrane serine proteases of the respiratory tract. EXPERT OPINION Expert opinion: Several TTSPs of the respiratory tract represent attractive pharmacological targets in the treatment of respiratory infectious diseases (notably COVID-19 and influenza), but also against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. The current emphasis is primarily on TMPRSS2, matriptase, and hepsin, yet other TTSPs await validation. Compounds listed herein are predominantly peptidomimetic inhibitors, some with covalent reversible mechanisms of action and high potencies. Their selectivity profile, however, are often only partially characterized. Preclinical data are promising and warrant further advancement in the above diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Murza
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada.,Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada
| | - Sébastien P Dion
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada.,Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada
| | - Pierre-Luc Boudreault
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada.,Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada
| | - Antoine Désilets
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada.,Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada
| | - Richard Leduc
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada.,Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada
| | - Éric Marsault
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada.,Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke (Québec), Canada
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Abstract
Over the last two decades, a novel subgroup of serine proteases, the cell surface-anchored serine proteases, has emerged as an important component of the human degradome, and several members have garnered significant attention for their roles in cancer progression and metastasis. A large body of literature describes that cell surface-anchored serine proteases are deregulated in cancer and that they contribute to both tumor formation and metastasis through diverse molecular mechanisms. The loss of precise regulation of cell surface-anchored serine protease expression and/or catalytic activity may be contributing to the etiology of several cancer types. There is therefore a strong impetus to understand the events that lead to deregulation at the gene and protein levels, how these precipitate in various stages of tumorigenesis, and whether targeting of selected proteases can lead to novel cancer intervention strategies. This review summarizes current knowledge about cell surface-anchored serine proteases and their role in cancer based on biochemical characterization, cell culture-based studies, expression studies, and in vivo experiments. Efforts to develop inhibitors to target cell surface-anchored serine proteases in cancer therapy will also be summarized.
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