advertisement
Abstract #19802 Published in IGR 9-4
Prostaglandins in the patent literature
Ebenezar KK; Smith FGExpert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents 2007; 17: 1131-1145
Prostaglandins are regulatory compounds that play principal roles in many physiologic processes. Importantly, prostaglandins have been demonstrated to be potent vasoclilators in humans and animals, indicating their potential role as therapeutic agents. However, administration of prostaglandins for therapeutic purposes has been hampered by their inherent pharmacokinetic properties, such as limited bioavailability and short half-life, as well as their pleiotropism with resultant side effects. Despite these difficulties, considerable work has been done over the past few decades in the development of prostaglandin derivatives and their use as therapeutic agents. Recently, numerous prostaglandin analogs, agonists and antagonists have emerged. This review will focus on prostaglandins in general and various types of prostaglandin derivatives that are patented and have therapeutic use as vasodilators.
Dr. F.G. Smith, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Department of Physiology, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada. fsmith@ucalgary.ca
Classification:
11.4 Prostaglandins (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
