1. Farnesyl transferase inhibitors: current developments and future perspectives
- Author
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Jaap Verweij, Ferry A.L.M. Eskens, Gerrit Stoter, and Medical Oncology
- Subjects
Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Gene product ,In vivo ,medicine ,Humans ,Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging ,Enzyme Inhibitors ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase ,Clinical Trials as Topic ,Alkyl and Aryl Transferases ,Farnesyl Transferase Inhibitor ,General Medicine ,Farnesol ,In vitro ,Enzyme ,Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ,Genes, ras ,Oncology ,chemistry ,Biochemistry ,Enzyme inhibitor ,Research Design ,biology.protein ,Carcinogenesis - Abstract
Ras oncogenes play an important role in carcinogenesis and are frequently found in various human tumour types. Cellular activity of Ras oncoprotein, regulated through the enzyme farnesyl transferase, is crucial in the process of ras -dependent carcinogenesis, and therefore, specific inhibition of this enzyme is an attractive goal in anticancer treatment. Specific inhibitors of farnesyl transferase have been developed in recent years, many of them showing in vitro and in vivo growth inhibitory or cytostatic activity. Recently, results of the first clinical studies with various farnesyl transferase inhibitors have been presented. In the design of phase I and II studies, either single-agent or combination studies, new endpoints have to be defined in order to properly assess feasibility, antitumour activity and clinical valuability.
- Published
- 2000