Inhibitors of protein prenylation 1999

Abstract

Interest in farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) as a potential cancer therapy continues, judging from the approximately eighty patent applications published in the fourteen month period from January 1998. This review summarises progress in the field since the previous update [1] and includes a description of the first clinical trials in man. Also discussed are current biological experiments designed to further understand the preclinical antiproliferative effects of FTIs. Recent structural studies of farnesyltransferase (FTase) are summarised. Novel FTIs appearing in the scientific and patent literature in the past year are reviewed, along with new data published on key compounds, such as those undergoing clinical evaluation.

• antiproliferative
• cancer
• farnesyltransferase (FTase)
• farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI)
• protein prenylation