SR 57746A/xaliproden, a non-peptide neurotrophic compound: prospects and constraints for the treatment of nervous system diseases.

Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as well as peripheral neuropathies are difficult to treat due to a limited range of effective drugs. Neurotrophic growth factors promote neuronal survival and differentiation and could hence be interesting tools to treat these diseases. Their therapeutic use is limited due their short half-life, their inability to cross the BBB and potential side effects including tumor promotion. SR 57746A is a non-peptide, orally active compound that exhibits neuroprotective effects in various model systems in vitro and in vivo. SR 57746A shows--amongst other activities--agonistic activity on 5-HT(1A) receptors. Several clinical trials examined SR 57746A in patients with Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or chemotherapy-induced peripheral sensory neuropathy. This article reviews the preclinical and clinical data on SR 57746A and points out potential future applications of this compound. However, due to disapointing results in phase III trials, Sanofi-Aventis recently decided to discontinue the development of this drug.

• Authors: Marc Porzner, Tobias Müller, Thomas Seufferlein
• Journal: Expert opinion on investigational drugs (Expert Opin Investig Drugs) Vol. 18 Issue 11 Pg. 1765-72 (Nov 2009) ISSN: 1744-7658 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19814656 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Naphthalenes
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Pyridines
• xaliproden

Topics

• Animals
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Disease Models, Animal
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
• Humans
• Naphthalenes (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Neurodegenerative Diseases (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Neuroprotective Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Pyridines (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)