Sch-66336 (sarasar) and other benzocycloheptapyridyl farnesyl protein transferase inhibitors: discovery, biology and clinical observations

Curr Top Med Chem. 2003;3(10):1103-14. doi: 10.2174/1568026033452104.

Abstract

Farnesyl Protein Transferase as a target for therapeutic intervention is currently under investigation in human clinical trials. Sch-66336 (sarasar), a benzocycloheptapyridyl Farnesyl Transferase Inhibitor (FTI), has been found to be effective in cellular proliferation assays and in in vivo oncology models both as a single agent and in combination with other anti-cancer agents. Clinically, early evidence is being generated that suggests efficacy in humans, particularly in patients with leukemia. Herein, we review the biology of FPT, the discovery of Sch-66336 and other benzocycloheptapyridyl FTIs, and the clinical evaluation of Sch-66336 for the treatment of leukemia and solid tumors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Binding Sites
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Farnesyltranstransferase
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Piperidines / chemistry
  • Piperidines / pharmacology*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Pyridines / chemistry
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Piperidines
  • Pyridines
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases
  • Farnesyltranstransferase
  • lonafarnib