Prospects of β-Secretase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

β-Secretase continues to be an attractive drug discovery target for the therapeutic intervention of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This enzyme plays a critical role in the production of neurotoxic β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides in the brain. Over the years, extensive research efforts have led to the development of many promising classes of inhibitors against this protease. Many small-molecule, peptidomimetic, and nonpeptide β-secretase inhibitors have now overcome the key challenging development hurdles such as selectivity and brain penetration. A number of inhibitors have also shown further promise in reducing brain Aβ and rescuing cognitive decline in animal models. Recently, several β-secretase inhibitors have entered into preclinical and phase I studies, and at least one of these inhibitors has advanced to phase II/III human trials. The outlook on β-secretase inhibitor drugs for the treatment of AD patients is discussed herein.