Perspective abstract
Nature Immunology 10, 356 - 360 (2009)
Published online: 19 March 2009 | doi:10.1038/ni.1701
Selectivity and therapeutic inhibition of kinases: to be or not to be?
Kamran Ghoreschi1, Arian Laurence1 & John J O'Shea1
Abstract
Protein kinases, which serve critical functions in signaling pathways in all cells, are popular therapeutic targets. At present, eight kinase inhibitors have been approved in the United States, each of which shows nanomolar potency. Although the initial goal was to generate inhibitors with a high degree of selectivity, recent experience has revealed that many of these approved compounds target more than one kinase. Surprisingly, this promiscuity is less problematic than one would have imagined; indeed, it opens new therapeutic opportunities. In this Perspective, we discuss the present status of Janus kinase inhibitors—a new class of immunosuppressive drugs—and the advantages and disadvantages of selectively inhibiting this class of kinase.
- Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Correspondence to: Kamran Ghoreschi1 e-mail: ghoreschik@mail.nih.gov
Correspondence to: John J O'Shea1 e-mail: osheajo@mail.nih.gov
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