Drug repurposing in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases

Abstract Background Chronic inflammation is an increasing global healthcare challenge with limited effective treatment options. Developing medications for chronic diseases requires high financial investment and a long duration. Given these challenges, alternative strategies are needed. Here, we focus on one such strategy that holds great promise: drug repurposing, which involves identifying new therapeutic uses for existing drugs. Main body Here, we discuss the importance of two key transcription factors: nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1), in orchestrating complex pathophysiological signaling networks involved in chronic inflammatory diseases. Dysregulation of the NF-κB and AP1 signaling pathways have been associated with various diseases, such as cancer, inflammatory disease, and autoimmune disorders. This review emphasized that repurposed small-molecule inhibitors of these pathways have proven successful as therapeutic interventions. These compounds exhibit high degrees of specificity and efficacy in modulating NF-κB or AP-1 signaling, making them appealing candidates for treating chronic inflammatory conditions. This review discusses the therapeutic potential and action mechanisms of several repurposed small-molecule inhibitors for combating diseases caused by abnormal activation or inhibition of NF-κB and AP-1. Conclusion This concise review highlights the potential of repurposing small-molecule inhibitors targeting the NF-κB and AP-1 pathways as effective therapies for various chronic inflammatory diseases. While further experimental validation is needed, drug repurposing offers a promising strategy to bypass the existing lengthy and expensive new drug development processes, providing a faster and more economical route to novel treatments.