Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is an enzyme that acts as a proangiogenic
factor. Overexpression of the enzyme was observed in various solid
tumors and several chronic inflammatory diseases, where it was correlated with
level of angiogenesis and elevated progression of the disease. TP inhibitors are
compounds designed to interfere with the processes connected with catalytic
function of this enzyme including TP-mediated angiogenesis and the degradation
of important antiviral and anticancer drugs. This chapter comprehensively reviews
the hitherto known TP inhibitors with further insight into their potential
applications in the clinical practices.
Keywords: Thymidine phosphorylase, angiogenesis, platelet-derived endothelial cell
growth factor, gliostatin, cancer chemotherapy, thymidine phosphorylase inhibitors.
