Cytochrome P450 Enzymes as Drug Targets in Human Disease

Abstract

Although the mention of cytochrome P450 (P450, CYP) inhibition usually brings to mind unwanted variability in pharmacokinetics, in several cases P450s are good targets for inhibition. These P450s are essential but in certain disease states it is desirable to reduce the concentrations of their products. Most of the attention to date has been with human P450s 5A1, 11A1, 11B1, 11B2, 17A1, 19A1, and 51A1. In some of those cases, there are multiple drugs in us, e.g., exemestane, letrozole, and anastrozole with P450 19A1, the steroid aromatase target in breast cancer. There are also several targets that are less developed, e. g. P450s 2A6, 8B1, 4A11, 24A1, 26A1, and 26B1. SIGNICANCE STATEMENTThe selective inhibition of certain P450s that have major physiological functions has been shown to be very efficacious in certain human diseases. In several cases the search for better drugs continues.

Special Section on Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in Toxicology and as Drug Targets—Editorial

“…Dr. Guengerich provided valuable mentorship on studies related to cytochrome P450 enzymology. In this special section, Dr. F. Peter Guengerich contributes a minireview on "Cytochrome P450 enzymes as drug targets in human disease" (Guengerich, 2024). The article summarizes major physiologic functions of human cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes, including members of CYP5A1, 11A1, 11B1, 11B2, 17A1, 19A1, and 51A1, and their implications in certain human diseases such as cancer.…”