Small molecules play a pivotal role in Endocrinology Research. These are low molecular weight compounds that have a significant impact on the endocrine system, hormones, and their receptors. Here are some key aspects of how small molecules are involved in this field:
Hormone Mimetics and Inhibitors: Small molecules are used to develop synthetic compounds that mimic the actions of hormones or inhibit their effects. For example, drugs like metformin for diabetes management and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) for breast cancer treatment are used to either mimic or block hormonal activity.
Receptor Modulation: Small molecules can bind to hormone receptors and modulate their activity. This is crucial in developing drugs that target specific hormone receptors, like the use of small molecule agonists and antagonists to regulate thyroid hormone receptors.
Metabolism Regulation: Endocrinology research often focuses on metabolism and how hormones like insulin regulate it. Small molecules are employed to understand and develop drugs targeting enzymes involved in metabolism, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists for diabetes treatment.
Steroid Hormone Production: Small molecules may be utilized to influence the production of steroid hormones in the adrenal glands or gonads. This is essential for conditions like Cushing's syndrome or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Hormone Assays: In laboratory research, small molecules are used as tracers or markers in hormone assays. For instance, small molecule fluorophores can be attached to antibodies to detect hormone levels in blood samples.
Drug Development: Endocrinology research relies on small molecules as potential drug candidates. Researchers design and test small molecules for their effectiveness in modulating hormonal pathways, with the goal of developing new therapies for endocrine disorders. In summary, small molecules are indispensable tools in Endocrinology Research, enabling scientists to better understand the endocrine system's intricacies and develop novel treatments for a wide range of hormonal disorders and conditions. Their versatility and specificity make them valuable assets in advancing our knowledge of endocrinology and improving patient care.
Ilorasertib (ABT-348) is a potent and ATP-competitive multitargeted kinase inhibitor, which inhibits Aurora C, Aurora B, and Aurora A with IC50s of 1 nM, 7 nM, 120 nM, respectively.
Oglufanide inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which may inhibit angiogenesis. This agent has also been reported to stimulate the immune response to hepatitic C virus and intracellular bacterial infections.
AG-13958 (AG-013958), a potent VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is used for treatment of choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
TAS-115 mesylate is a potent VEGFRand hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met/HGFR)-targeted kinase inhibitor, with IC50s of 30 and 32 nM for rVEGFR2 and rMET, respectively.
Sorafenib D3 (Bay 43-9006 D3) is the deuterium labeled Sorafenib. Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor IC50s of 6 nM, 20 nM, and 22 nM for Raf-1, B-Raf, and VEGFR-3, respectively.
Sorafenib D4 (Bay 43-9006 D4) is the deuterium labeled Sorafenib. Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor IC50s of 6 nM, 20 nM, and 22 nM for Raf-1, B-Raf, and VEGFR-3, respectively.
TAS-115 is a potent VEGFR and hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met/HGFR)-targeted kinase inhibitor with IC50s of 30 and 32 nM for rVEGFR2 and rMET, respectively.
ENMD-2076 Tartrate is a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor with IC50s of 1.86, 14, 58.2, 15.9, 92.7, 70.8, 56.4 nM for Aurora A, Flt3, KDR/VEGFR2, Flt4/VEGFR3, FGFR1, FGFR2, Src, PDGFRα, respectively.
Cediranib maleate (AZD-2171 maleate) is a highly potent, orally available VEGFR inhibitor with IC50s of <1, <3, 5, 5, 36, 2 nM for Flt1, KDR, Flt4, PDGFRα, PDGFRβ, c-Kit, respectively.
Tesevatinib (XL-647; EXEL-7647; KD-019) is an orally available, multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor; inhibits EGFR, ErbB2, KDR, Flt4 and EphB4 kinase with IC50s of 0.3, 16, 1.5, 8.7, and 1.4 nM.
Sulfatinib (HMPL-012) is a potent and highly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor against VEGFR1/2/3, FGFR1 and CSF1R with IC50s of in a range of 1 to 24 nM.
CP-547632 hydrochloride is a well-tolerated, orally-bioavailable inhibitor of the VEGFR-2 and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) kinases with IC50s of 11 nM and 9 nM, respectively.
JNJ-38158471 is a well tolerated, orally available, highly selective VEGFR-2 inhibitor, with an IC50 of 40 nM. JNJ-38158471 also inhibits Ret and Kit with IC50s of 180 and 500 nM, respectively.
ZD-4190 is a potent, orally available inhibitor of the vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling, used for the treatment of cancer.
XL092 is an ATP-competitive inhibitor of multiple RTKs including MET, VEGFR2, AXL and MER, with IC50 values in cell-based assays of 15, 1.6, 3.4, and 7.2 nM respectively.
