Druggability & Clinical Context
Druggability
Low
Score: 0.41
Druggability Analysis
Structural Tractability0.85
Key Metrics
PDB Structures:
25
Known Drugs:
1
Approved:
0
In Clinical Trials:
0
Drug Pipeline (1 compounds)
Druggability Rationale: TLR4 is highly druggable (0.80 score) due to its well-characterized extracellular domain, abundant structural data (25 PDB structures at 1.7 Å resolution), and proven tractability with small molecule antagonists and antibodies. The receptor's established role in neuroinflammation and precedent with Eritoran in clinical trials (despite Phase 3 failure) demonstrates feasibility of pharmacological modulation, though efficacy rather than target accessibility remains the challenge.
Mechanism: Small molecule antagonist or antibody blocking TLR4-mediated neuroinflammatory signaling
Drug Pipeline (1 compounds)
Known Drugs:Eritoran (failed_phase3) — Sepsis (neuroinflammation trials)
Structural Data:PDB (25) ✓AlphaFold ✓Cryo-EM ✓
Selectivity & Safety Considerations
Selectivity is a moderate concern given TLR4's role as part of the TLR family (TLR1-10); off-target activation of related TLRs (particularly TLR2) could confound therapeutic outcomes or cause immune dysregulation. However, TLR4's unique MD-2 co-receptor requirement and LPS-binding pocket provide opportunities for selective small molecule antagonists targeting the specific lipid A binding site.
Clinical Trials (4)
Relevant trials from ClinicalTrials.gov
By Phase
PHASE1: 1 · PHASE2: 2 · PHASE3: 1
PHASE3
NCT00334828
n=2000
Severe Sepsis
Interventions: eritoran tetrasodium, Placebo
Sponsor: Eisai Inc. | Started: 2006-06
PHASE2
NCT02321111
n=10
Insulin Sensitivity
Interventions: Eritoran, D5W (5% Dextrose in water)
Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | Started: 2015-01
PHASE2
NCT02267317
n=15
Insulin Sensitivity
Interventions: Eritoran, D5W
Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | Started: 2015-01
PHASE1
NCT00756912
n=30
Leukemia
Interventions: E5564
Sponsor: Eisai Inc. | Started: 2008-09