Can Growth Factors Cure Parkinson's Disease?. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sidorova, Yulia A.; Saarma, Mart
• Is Part Of: Trends in pharmacological sciences. Volume 41:Number 12(2020)
• Page Start: 909
• Page End: 922
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: neurotrophic factors -- Parkinson's disease -- dopamine neurons -- glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family ligands -- neurturin, cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- trends -- Periodicals; Pharmacologie -- Périodiques; Pharmacology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.09.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-6147

Abstract

Abstract : Growth factors (GFs) hold considerable promise for disease modification in neurodegenerative disorders because they can protect and restore degenerating neurons and also enhance their functional activity. However, extensive efforts applied to utilize their therapeutic potential in humans have achieved limited success so far. Multiple clinical trials with GFs were performed in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, in whom diagnostic symptoms of the disease are caused by advanced degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons (DNs), but the results of these trials are controversial. This review discusses recent developments in the field of therapeutic use of GFs, problems and obstacles related to this use, suggests the ways to overcome these issues, and alternative approaches that can be used to utilize the potential of GFs in PD management. Highlights: Growth factors (GFs) supporting neuronal survival and increasing their functional activity are promising leads for the development of disease-modifying treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. Clinical use of GFs requires careful planning with regard to dosing, delivery paradigms and equipment, frequency of administration, and the development of patients' stratification criteria. Several alternatives to naturally occurring GFs, such as mutant proteins or small molecules targeting GF receptors, show promise in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD) and can progress to clinical use with better outcomes. Early diagnostics of PD and immediate initiation of the treatment may significantly improve clinical perspectives of GF-based therapeutics.