Discovering inhibitors of cell surface receptor function as the basis for novel therapeutics to treat cancer

Abstract

As our understanding of the molecular changes that trigger and potentiate cancer increases, cancer therapies are becoming increasingly refined and specifically targeted to increase efficacy and reduce side effects. Structure-based rational drug design has become a common method to identify lead compounds that can be further optimised as potential drug candidates. Cell-surface receptors that undergo changes in expression and activity in cancer and can be manipulated to elicit a therapeutic effect by a binding ligand that affects protein function make ideal targets. CD33 is a transmembrane protein from the sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin like lectin (siglec) family. It is expressed on the..