This volume of Pharmaceutical Biocatalysis starts with a discussion on
the importance of biocatalytic synthesis approaches for a sustainable
and environmentally friendly production of pharmaceuticals and active
pharmaceutical ingredients. Among the enzymes discussed in detail with
respect to their pharmaceutical relevance are cyclic nucleotide
phosphodiesterases playing an important role in modulating signal
transduction in various cell types; human DOPA decarboxylase, related to
Parkinson's disease and aromatic amino acid decarboxylase deficiency;
and phospholipase D enzymes as drug targets. Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1
and 2 mutations are novel therapeutic targets in acute myeloid leukemia.
An additional chapter is devoted to the use of enzymes for prodrug
activation in cancer therapy. The other topics include small-molecule
inhibitors targeting receptor tyrosine kinases in cancer, β-Lactams and
related compounds as antibacterials, non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants
for the treatment of thromboembolic diseases, and the molecular
mechanisms for statin pleiotropy and its clinical relevance in
cardiovascular diseases. The last chapter is a review of lysosomal
storage disorders with an overview of approved drugs for treating these
disorders by enzyme replacement therapy.