Difference between revisions of "Halofuginone"

Latest revision as of 10:06, 20 September 2010

Halofuginone is a coccidiostat used in veterinary medicine. It is a synthetic halogenated derivative of febrifugine, a natural quinazolinone alkaloid which can be found in the Chinese herb Dichroa febrifuga (Chang Shan).^[1] Collgard Biopharmaceuticals is developing halofuginone for the treatment of scleroderma and it has received orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.^[2]

Halofuginone inhibits the development of T helper 17 cells, immune cells that play an important players in autoimmune disease, but it does not affect other kinds of T cells which involved in normal immune function.^[3] Halofuginone therefore has potential for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.^[4]

Halofuginine is also an inhibitor of collagen type I gene expression and as a consequence it may inhibit tumor cell growth.^[1]

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Halofuginone hydrobromide, NCI Drug Dictionary
2. ↑ Halofuginone Receives FDA Orphan Drug Status For Scleroderma, March 10, 2000
3. ↑ Sundrud, M. S.; Koralov, S. B.; Feuerer, M.; Calado, D. P.; Kozhaya, A. E.; Rhule-Smith, A.; Lefebvre, R. E.; Unutmaz, D.; Mazitschek, R. (2009). "Halofuginone Inhibits TH17 Cell Differentiation by Activating the Amino Acid Starvation Response". Science. 324 (5932): 1334. doi:10.1126/science.1172638. PMC 2803727 Freely accessible. PMID 19498172. 
4. ↑ A new lead for autoimmune disease: A small-molecule drug inhibits Th17 cells, eases symptoms in mouse model, June 4, 2009