Resorcylic acid lactones: A pluripotent scaffold with therapeutic potential

The recent discoveries of potent HSP90 and MAP kinase inhibitors amongst the resorcylic acid lactones (RALs) have revived interest in this family of natural products. Both HSP90 and MAP kinase inhibition hold tremendous therapeutic potential, particularly in the treatment of cancer. Our synthetic efforts towards the RALs and, in particular, selective inhibitors of HSP90 and kinases are reviewed.