Crisaborole

Systematic (IUPAC) name
(5-(4-Cyanophenoxy)-1-hydroxy-1,3-dihydro-2,1-benzoxaborole)
Clinical data
Legal status	Investigational New Drug
Routes of administration	Topical (ointment)
Identifiers
CAS Number	906673-24-3
PubChem	CID: 44591583
DrugBank	DB05219
ChemSpider	24701949
UNII	Q2R47HGR7P
Synonyms	4-[(1-hydroxy-1,3-dihydro-2,1-benzoxaborol-5-yl)oxy]benzonitrile
Chemical data
Formula	C14H10BNO3
Molecular mass	251.045100 g/mol
SMILES B1(c2ccc(cc2CO1)Oc3ccc(cc3)C#N)O
InChI InChI=1S/C14H10BNO3/c16-8-10-1-3-12(4-2-10)19-13-5-6-14-11(7-13)9-18-15(14)17/h1-7,17H,9H2 Key:USZAGAREISWJDP-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Crisaborole (INN, USAN, codenamed AN2728) is a non-steroidal, topical drug candidate that as of 2015 was under development by Anacor Pharmaceuticals for the topical treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema).

Mechanism of action

It is a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, mainly acting on phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B), which causes inflammation. Chemically, crisaborole is a phenoxybenoxaborole. It contains a boron atom that helps penetrate the skin and is essential for its binding activity. Inhibition of PDE4B appears to suppress the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-23 and other cytokines, proteins believed to be involved in the immune response and inflammation.

Clinical trials

As of 2015, Anacor was conducting a Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis, and some Phase II trials had been completed for the treatment of psoriasis.

See also

• Phosphodiesterase
• Tavaborole (trade name Kerydin) — a structurally related drug developed by Anacor, approved for the treatment of onychomycosis