Translocator protein (TSPO) ligands for the diagnosis or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases: a patent review (2010 - 2015; part 2).

INTRODUCTION: The 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) has been highlighted as a potential drug target in diverse neurodegenerative diseases because the up-regulation of TSPO in the CNS is related to neuroinflammation. Diverse TSPO ligands are currently in clinical trials or are under development at the preclinical stage for the treatment and/or diagnosis of neurodegenerative processes. These TSPO ligands may shed light on novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases in the near future. Areas covered: This review describes TSPO ligands that have been patented from 2010 to 2015. Numerous indole-derived TSPO ligands will be analyzed on the basis of their TSPO affinities. Furthermore, cholesterol-like compounds and miscellaneous TSPO ligands will be summarized along with their pharmaceutical uses. Expert opinion: Diverse TSPO ligands have demonstrated their biological efficacies in experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases, and some of them are now in clinical trials. The indole-derived TSPO ligands can be highlighted as efficient diagnostic agents because they have high selectivity and affinity for TSPO. Moreover, one potent cholesterol-like TSPO ligand has been described as a neuroprotective compound. Therefore, additional preclinical and clinical studies for highly potent TSPO ligands are recommended for the successful pharmacological application of TSPO ligands.