Inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase as a potential treatment for inflammatory diseases

Abstract

Inhibition of human neutrophil elastase (HNE), (EC 3.4.21.37), as an approach to the treatment of inflammatory diseases in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continuum, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is still an area of intense research within the pharmaceutical industry. This review summarises some recent developments in the design and evaluation of HNE inhibitors as therapeutic agents since the subject was last reviewed in this publication in 1997.