Studies on cysteine proteases and their inhibitors for anticancer drug design

Abstract Studies in oncology research in last two decades have provided circumstantial evidences for the involvement of cysteine proteases in various signaling pathways pertaining to tumor growth and progression. Literature reveals the aberrant expression, localization, and activation of cysteine proteases in tumor cells as compared to normal cells. Tumor cell migration and invasion into the surrounding extracellular matrix is facilitated by diverse subclasses of these proteolytic enzymes. Many existing inhibitors of cysteine proteases of natural and synthetic origin have shown promising results in the dissemination of cancer cells and inhibition of tumor growth. Thus inhibition of protease activity by potent inhibitors with desired safety profile represents a promising strategy for anticancer and antimetastatic therapy. This chapter briefly deals with a review of various studies on cysteine proteases and their inhibitors so as to facilitate anticancer drug design.