Emergence of Small-Molecule Non-RGD-Mimetic Inhibitors for RGD Integrins.

The RGD integrins are recognized therapeutic targets for thrombosis, fibrosis, and cancer, among others. Current inhibitors are designed to mimic the tripeptide sequence (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) of the natural ligands; however, the RGD-mimetic antagonists for αβ have been shown to cause partial agonism, leading to the opposite pharmacological effect. The challenge of obtaining oral activity and synthetic tractability with RGD-mimetic molecules, along with the issues relating to pharmacology, has left integrin therapeutics in need of a new strategy. Recently, a new generation of inhibitor has emerged that lacks the RGD-mimetic. This review will discuss the discovery of these non-RGD-mimetic inhibitors and the progress that has been made in this promising new chemotype.