Purine nucleoside analogs in the therapy of cancer and neuroinflammation

Abstract

Purine nucleoside analogs have been in clinical use for almost 50 years. At the beginning developed as antiviral agents, later their efficacy was demonstrated in cancer treatment, especially hematological malignances. The approval of new purine nucleoside analogs by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the past decade implies that the interest for these drugs still exists. Here, we review new nucleoside analogs that are currently in preclinical or clinical development as anticancer agents. In addition, we highlight the potential for implementation of these drugs in other pathological conditions, particularly in neuroinflammation.