RSC Medicinal Chemistry Blog

Farnesyltransferase inhibitors such as lonafarnib (shown in the image) may hold the key to the treatment of a variety of diseases ranging from cancer to progeria.

In this review, Mark D. Distefano and Joshua D. Ochocki from the University of Minnesota discuss the progression of farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI) development. from the initial studies focussing on cancer therapeutics through to the more recent use of prenyltransferase inhibitors in the treatment of various disorders, such as progeria, parasitic infections and hepatitis C & D.

Included in this review:

• Prenyltransferase inhibitor development
• Prenyltransferase inhibitors in cancer
• Farnesyltransferase inhibitors in Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome
• Farnesyltransferase inhibitors in parasitic diseases
• Prenyltransferase inhibitors in hepatitis
• Other potential therapies using prenyltransferase inhibitors

Prenyltransferase inhibitors: treating human ailments from cancer to parasitic infections
Joshua D. Ochocki and Mark D. Distefano
Med. Chem. Commun.
DOI: 10.1039/C2MD20299A