Matrix metalloproteases: Underutilized targets for drug delivery

Pathophysiological molecules in the extracellular environment offer excellent targets that can be exploited for designing drug targeting systems. Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are a family of extracellular proteolytic enzymes that are characterized by their overexpression or overactivity in several...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of drug targeting 2007, Vol.15 (1), p.1-20
Main Authors: Vartak, Deepali G., Gemeinhart, Richard A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Biotransformation
drug activation
Drug delivery
Drug Delivery Systems
drug targeting
General pharmacology
Humans
matrix metalloprotease (MMP)
Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
Matrix Metalloproteinases - drug effects
Matrix Metalloproteinases - physiology
Medical sciences
Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
prodrug
Prodrugs
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Pathophysiological molecules in the extracellular environment offer excellent targets that can be exploited for designing drug targeting systems. Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are a family of extracellular proteolytic enzymes that are characterized by their overexpression or overactivity in several pathologies. Over the last two decades, the MMP literature reveals heightened interest in the research involving MMP biology, pathology and targeting. This review describes various strategies that have been designed to utilize MMPs for targeting therapeutic entities. Key factors that need to be considered in the successful design of such systems have been identified based on the analyses of these strategies. Development of targeted drug delivery using MMPs has been steadily pursued; however, drug delivery efforts using these targets need to be intensified and focused to realize the clinical application of the fast developing fundamental MMP research.
ISSN:1061-186X
1029-2330
DOI:10.1080/10611860600968967