Establishing the principle of reversibility in peptide/protein and small-molecule therapy

Ther Deliv. 2012 Jan;3(1):17-23. doi: 10.4155/tde.11.133.

Abstract

Several important pharmacological features can be integrated into injected drugs to enhance their therapeutic efficacy following administration. Short-lived peptide/protein drugs should be converted into long-lived species in vivo to avoid multiple injections. Circulating levels of anticancer agents need to be maintained within a narrow therapeutic range for prolonged period. Water-insoluble drugs must be turned into soluble species and blood-brain barrier-impermeable agents need to be modified to cross it following peripheral administrations. The derivatization requiring for achieving those desirable pharmacological features typically result in biologically/pharmacologically inactive products, unless those derivatizations can be carried out in a reversible fashion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / administration & dosage*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Proteins / chemistry

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Proteins