Protein Therapeutics: a summary and pharmacological classification Benjamin Leader, Quentin J. Baca and David E. Golan Yiben Wang 11/16/11
Protein Therapeutics: -25,000-40,000 different genes in the human genome -Alternative splicing of genes -Post-translational modifications -Very high number of functionally distinct proteins Disease View: -Immense challenge: -One protein is mutated or abnormal -Present in high or low concentrations Therapeutic View: -Tremendous opportunity 130 different proteins or peptides – FDA approval
Advantages of protein therapeutics: Proteins – highly specific and complex set of functions -Chemical compounds can’t mimick Specificity -Less chance of interference; reduce adverse effects Natural production -Well tolerated; no immune response Diseases – gene is deleted or mutated -Replacement treatment – no gene therapy (Unavailable) Faster FDA approval time -2003: 1980-2002 33 therapeutic proteins, 294 small-molecule drugs (>1year) Unique form and function -Companies – patent protection
Functional classification of protein therapeutics: Group I -Protein therapeutics with enzymatic or regulatory activity Group II -Protein therapeutics with special targeting activity Group III -Protein vaccines Group IV -Protein diagnostics
Group I: Protein therapeutics with enzymatic or regulatory activity Ia: Replacing a protein that is deficient or abnormal Ib: Augmenting an existing pathway Ic: Providing a novel function or activity
Group II: Protein therapeutics with special targeting IIa: Interfering with a molecule or organism IIb: Delivering other compounds or proteins
Group III: Protein vaccines IIIa: Protecting against a deleterious foreign agent IIIb: Treating an autoimmune disease IIIc: Treating cancer
Group IV: Protein diagnostics
Challenges for protein therapeutics: Protein solubility, route of administration, distribution, and stability. Immune response. Physiologically active – post-translational modifications. Costs 5. Ethics
Recombinant human proteins: -FDA – biotechnology medicines: -Monoclonal antibodies -Natural interferons -Vaccines -Hormones -Modified natural enzymes -Cell therapies More work needs to be done.