Scope of translational medicine in developing boron-containing compounds for therapeutics

Abstract

The ubiquitousness of naturally occurring boron-containing compounds (BCCs) has led to their constant contact with humankind. Recently, many synthetic BCCs have been elaborated for a broad spectrum of purposes, especially boric, boronic and borinic acids. Although BCCs were once employed primarily as antiseptics and later as antibiotics, they have become an increasingly relevant therapeutic tool. Nevertheless, this potential of BCCs has been drastically limited due to some unfortunate intra-hospital accidents in the 1940s and 1950s. The increasing use of BCCs as insecticides, antimicrobials, and other agents is providing new insights into their role in the physiology of several living species and in the pathophysiology of humans. It is becoming clear that BCCs act through a wide range of mechanisms, as do their corresponding boron-free counterparts. When comparing BCCs and similar boron-free compounds, in many cases the former show advantages in the medical field. The current mini-review focuses on how BCCs have been developed by means of translational medicine, a process connecting biomedical research with clinical applications. This process of discovery is currently in an exponential stage.

Keywords: Boron; Boron-containing compounds; Drug development; Toxicity; Medicinal chemistry; Pharmacology

Core tip: We herein review the scope of boron-containing compounds (BCCs) with therapeutic applications. Information is compiled about the physiological relevance of boron, as well as the medicinal use of BCCs. Apart from describing BCCs employed to treat neoplastic and infectious disease, mention is made of such compounds that may have therapeutic potential for other maladies.