Introduction: Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), which belongs to the demethylase of non-histone proteins, is believed to promote cancer cell proliferation and metastasis by modifying histones. LSD1 dysfunction may play a key role in a variety of cancers, such as acute myeloid leukemia and non-small cell lung cancer, indicating that LSD1 is a promising epigenetic target for cancer therapy. Many different types of small molecule LSD1 inhibitors have been developed and shown to inhibit tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, providing a new treatment strategy for solid tumors.
Areas covered: This review summarizes the progress of LSD1 inhibitor research in the last four years, including selected new patents and article publications, as well as the therapeutic potential of these compounds.
Expert opinion: Natural products offer a promising prospect for developing novel potent LSD1 inhibitors, as structural design and activity of irreversible and reversible inhibitors have been continuously optimized since the discovery of the LSD1 target in 2004. The use of 'microtubule-binding agents' and 'dual-agent combination' has recently become a new anticancer technique, reducing the resistance and adverse reactions of traditional drugs. Several microtubule-binding drugs have been used successfully in clinical practice, providing structural scaffolds and new ideas for the development of safer drugs.
Keywords: LSD1; anticancer; combination; dual inhibitor; histone demethylase; irreversible inhibitor; natural products; reversible inhibitor.