Pyruvate kinase modulators as a therapy target: an updated patent review 2018-2023.

Introduction: Cancer cells adopt a glycolytic phenotype to fulfill their energy needs in unfavorable conditions. In metabolic rewiring, cancer cells upregulate the expression of glycolytic pathway regulators including glucose transporter 1, hexokinase 2, and PKM2 (pyruvate kinase) into its M2 splice form. Among these regulators, PKM2 plays a major role in metabolic reprogramming and is overexpressed in various diseases, including cancer. Dimerization of PKM2 causes the generation of synthetic precursors from glycolytic intermediates, which are essential for cellular growth and cancer cell proliferation.

Covered areas: This article is focused on examining recent patents (2018-2023) on PKM2 activators, inhibitors and their biological and synthesis properties by using the advanced search service of the European Patent Office (EPO). Moreover, other databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and Elsevier were also examined for scientific data. On basis of their chemical structures, PKM2 activators and inhibitors are classified into pyrazole, pyrolidine-pyrazole, phenol, benzoxazine, isoselenazolo-pyridinium, phthalazine, and propiolylamide derivatives.

Expert opinion: Activating PKM2 reduces proliferation and development of cells by reducing the quantity of biomolecules needed for cell formation. PKM2 activators and inhibitors are highly effective in treating many cancer pathogens. It is important to find new, more potent and selective molecules for PKM2 activation and inhibition.