Cyclooxygenase enzymes rheumatoid arthritis

SMP-114 (licofelone) is a drug candidate for rheumatoid arthritis, currently in Phase II clinical trials (Figure 8.57). It inhibits all three of the major enzymes involved in the arachidonic acid pathway (5-LOX, COX-1, and COX-2), thereby preventing production of both leukotrienes and prostaglandins. This mode of action could therefore lead to a better tolerability than that of conventional cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitors because of the shunt of arachidonic acid metabolism toward the production of proinflammatory leukotrienes, via 5-lipoxygenase (LOX). 

---