Inhibitors of p38 kinase

AbstractInhibition of p38 kinase is evolving as an approach to the discovery of new anti-inflammatory agents. Inhibitors of this enzyme modulate cytokine production, especially pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IL-1. These cytokines and others mediate a wide spectrum of diseases, notably rheumatoid arthritis. Cytokine modulators are expected to be disease modifying agents. The lead molecules disclosed in the patent literature fall into a class termed 1-pyridinyl-2-phenylazoles; this class of compounds encompasses promising drug candidates that are non-peptide, orally active, of low molecular weight and selective for p38. Structural characteristics of inhibitors and p38 kinase background are discussed.Keywordsanti-inflammatorycytokinesinterleukin-1p38 kinase inhibitorsTNF-α