Therapeutic applications of the versatile fatty acid mimetic WY14643

ABSTRACT

Introduction: WY14643 – also known as pirinixic acid – is a versatile fatty acid mimetic that was originally developed as lipid lowering agent without knowledge of its molecular target. Various later studies discovered somewhat promiscuous activity of the compound on several receptors and enzymes. Pirinixic acid though never having reached clinical use was subjected to many in vivo studies and exerted beneficial effects in a variety of disease models.

Areas covered: Inventions claiming the use of WY14643 for numerous indications ranging from the originally intended application in metabolic dysbalances over cancer and inflammation to some rare syndromes have been evaluated.

Expert opinion: It is rather unlikely that pirinixic acid will gain relevance in treatment of metabolic diseases for which it was originally developed because more efficient and selective alternatives are available. Instead, several other claimed activities of the compound e.g. in inflammation, neurodegeneration and cancer seem very promising. However, some of the underlying studies are biased and for some effects of pirinixic acid, the molecular target and mode of action remain to be identified.

KEYWORDS:

• Fatty acid mimetic
• drug discovery
• nuclear receptor modulator
• metabolic diseases
• neurodegeneration

Article highlights

• Pirinixic acid (PA) is a classical fatty acid mimetic and was developed as lipid lowering agent.

• Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have discovered that PA modulates a variety of molecular targets.

• It is unlikely that PA will reach therapeutic use for metabolic diseases but the agent has revealed several beneficial effects in other potential indications.

• The promiscuous effects of PA seem to be especially promising for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and Alzheimer's Disease.

• For some effects of PA, the underlying molecular target still remains to be identified.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

No funding to declare.